Rivals #taekookau where ~

Nerd Taehyung sends the picture of his 'shopping' to the college's jock!basketball player Jungkook instead of his best friend Jimin.

Jungkook has plans :

The crowd is cheering. Taehyung hates these games. He sighs.

"Will you stop making that disgusted face?" Jimin laughs, "you might actually enjoy the game."

"You got me into this problem, Jimin," Taehyung glares, "now I don't know what that dick will ask from me."

"He is not that bad," Jimin rolls his eyes, looking over at the field where the players were stretching, "if you ever gave him a chance to talk, you will see."

"A fool is great until he speaks," Taehyung murmurs, "He is a dumb basketball player. There's nothing to see."

Jimin ignores his whines and drags him to the front row. Taehyung is squirming, looking around to see anyone he might know.

He winces every time the cheerleaders jump and shout the players' names and shake their pompoms. He doesn't like this atmosphere. At all.

Jungkook is stretching by the sideline, his eyes closed while he listens to Namjoon speaking words of strategy between him, Yoongi and Jungkook.
Taehyung's eyes find him and suddenly Taehyung wants to run off before Jungkook sees him.
But Jungkook sees him. Sees him right away.

Taehyung chews his lips, eyes widening when Jungkook jogs through the court to reach him.
Taehyung ignores the shouts of Jungkook's name, ignores how the people around him buzz when the basketball captain hops over the boundary.
He runs up those few steps to reach Taehyung.

He is infront of Taehyung now, breath heaving, "you came!"
Taehyung doesn't know what to say. He nods. From the corner of his eyes, he can see Jimin's mouth falling open in shock. Taehyung would make fun of him but he can't move.
Not when the whole stadium is looking at him.

Jungkook grabs his wrist and pulls him up from his seat.
Taehyung hisses when the player tugs him into a hug.
"What the fuck are you doing, Jeon?" Taehyung grits out, arms slack beside him.
Jungkook breathes out a snort, "hug me back, Taehyung."
Taehyung wants to knee him.

He hugs Jungkook back, closing his eyes and hiding his face against the player's neck when he hears the gasps and the screeching voice of his own best friend.
"I will kill you for this," Taehyung whispers near Jungkook's ear, "what are you trying to achieve?"
Jungkook pulls back.

He looks at the crowd and glances at the screen where they are showing the interaction. Taehyung watches how the player grins at the crowd.
"Taehyung said he will go out with me if I win this match."
Taehyung gapes, "wh-what?!"
Jungkook's eyes are mirthful when they look at him.

He leans closer, "please?"
Taehyung glances at the crowd and back at the player who is looking at him, "you needed the picture of my panties to blackmail me into a date? Why can't you be normal and ask me out?"
Jungkook grins, "You never talked to me, Taehyung, how could I ever?"

"But now I don't have a choice, do I?" Taehyung asks, ignores how Jimin is trying to hear what they are whispering about.
"If I win," Jungkook takes Taehyung's hands in his, "go out on a date with me. If I lose," he sighs, "I will delete the photo."
Taehyung blinks, "that's all?"

Jungkook gives him a teasing smile, "what did you expect me to do to you, Taehyung? Ask you to sleep with me or something?"

Heat raises on Taehyung's cheeks, he glares, "well, you are the playboy of the university. I mean..."

"Jungkook, we are waiting," Yoongi calls, coming up.

Jimin makes a whining sound in his throat, steps closer to Taehyung, "I can't believe he looked at me for the first time in all these years and I am wearing a different player's jersey. It's all your fault, Tae!"

Taehyung ignores him, watches Jungkook pull away from him.

"If you agree," Jungkook steps back, "stay till the match ends. If you don't," he lets Yoongi tug him down the steps, "you can leave."

Taehyung sighs, watching Yoongi shove him onto the field, saying something that made Jungkook pout.

Jungkook looks over at Taehyung, waves.

Taehyung stands. Watches Yoongi dribble the ball before throwing it at Jungkook who catches it with ace.

He sits down when Jimin pulls him down, "tell me what the fuck just happened? Why you embarrassed me in front of my crush and what the hell was Jungkook saying?!"

"First of all, Jimin," Taehyung turns to Jimin, "your crush doesn't even know your name. Second of all, I was supposed to sent you the picture of my new panties and I sent it to Jungkook and here I am," he ignores Jimin's wide eyes, "and third of all, what the hell do I do now?"

"You sent him the picture?" Jimin akss, "that got him to ask you out?!"

Taehyung nods, chews his lips.

"So," Jimin murmurs, to himself mostly, "if I send mine to Yoongi, will he ask me out too?"

Taehyung curses, "oh, God! Don't be stupid, Jiminah! Tell me what do I do?!"

"You need to decide what you want to do, Tae," Jimin pats his back, "if you want to stay, then stay. If going on a date is all he wants when he could have asked for anything, then I think he deserves that chance."

Taehyung groans, "I hate when you talk so maturely."
Jimin grins.

The whistle blows after the final basket and Jungkook is whipping around to look at the crowd.
He doesn't see Taehyung. He can't see over the cheering crowd.
He lets his mates hug him, congratulate him, pull him to them for the trophy ceremony.
He looks back to see one last time.

He can't see Taehyung.
"We won, right?" Namjoon asks, placing his arm around Jungkook's shoulder, "why is this one pouting?"
Yoongi shrugs, "lover boy's crush denied his offer of coffee."
"Maybe he doesn't like coffee," Namjoon hums, "ask him for tea next time."
Yoongi snorts.

"Can you two shut up?" Jungkook whines, "I keep waiting for him just," he flails his arms, "he hates me and thinks I hate him too because I tease him but what else am I supposed to do when he doesn't even look at me?!"

Yoongi sighs, "oh, the pining is so real."

Namjoon grins.

"Fuck you two!" Jungkook grits out, looking down at his shoes.
"Fine," Yoongi nods, "I won't point out that Taehyung is standing by the sideline with Jin, then."
Jungkook looks up so fast, his neck cracks in protest.
Namjoon and Yoongi cackles together but Jungkook pays no mind.

Taehyung is there.
Taehyung is standing by the sideline, looking at him, talking to Jin who is making wild hang gestures.
"He stayed!" Jungkook murmurs, breathes out the lump that was building in his throat, "he stayed."
"So did his annoyingly grinning best friend," Yoongi sighs.

"Why is he annoying?" Namjoon asks, frowning in confusion.
"He grins too wide," Yoongi reasons, "too happy all the time."
"You notice him all the time?" Namjoon grins, "hyung?"
Yoongi rolls his eyes, "he took the piano class. Sucked at it. Asked my help every day! Still sucked."

Jungkook ignores his friends and runs up to the stage where they are given the trophies. He lets the principal hang the medal around his neck before he is bowing and running off the field.
He runs past the cheerleaders and stops in front of Taehyung, "you stayed!"
Taehyung nods.

"Just a coffee and we are done," Taehyung sighs, "I don't even like coffee."
Jungkook smiles, wide, "whatever you like, you can order whatever you like."
Taehyung looks at him, nods, turns on his heels, "see you, hyung," he bows to Jin, grabs Jimin by the elbow, "let's go."

"Wait, where are you going?" Jungkook asks, grasping at Taehyung's elbow, "the date..."
"You are sweating like a pig, Jungkook," Taehyung sighs, "I don't care what photos you have of mine, I won't go out with a guy who smells of sweat."
Jungkook chuckles, relieved, "oh, fine."

"I will pick you up tonight?"
Taehyung nods, "seven. Don't be late."
Jungkook grins, "I won't."
He watches Taehyung leave with Jimin. His grin not dimming even when Jin grabbed him into a headlock.
"We want the details of the date," Jin orders, "okay?"
"Fine," Jungkook agrees.

So... Jungkook is going through it

The gang never helps

On the other side -

Uhhh...

Jungkook's phone rings. He pulls it out and jumps almost when he sees it's Taehyung.
"Hi," he grips the phone closer to his ear.
"What are you doing standing in front of the building so early?" Taehyung sounds shocked.
Jungkook looks around, trying to find Taehyung, "well..."

"You are leaning against the lightpost, Jungkook, look up, I am on my window."
Jungkook looks up, the phone closer to his ear, and he waves when he sees Taehyung's silhouette.
"You look pretty," Jungkook breathes out.
"I am wearing nothing but a towel, Jungkook," Taehyung sighs.

"I know," Jungkook says, grins, "pretty."
The silhouette moves away, "it's still thirty minutes for the date, Jungkook."
"You asked me to not be late," Jungkook defends himself, "I didn't want to leave a bad impression."
Taehyung curses, "you can't stand there like a stalker!"

"What do I do then?" Jungkook asks, "I can't go back."
Taehyung let out a curse and then he is letting out a deep breath, "I will buzz you in. You can wait in the living room."
Jungkook grins, "Is that okay to take your date home on the first date?"
"There will be no more dates!"

Jungkook's smile dims, "are you fixed on that?"
Taehyung hesitates, "Jungkook, get in."
Jungkook crosses the street and walks into the building.
He climbs up to the third floor and knocks.
Jimin opens the door for him, smiles, "I was leaving. All the best for the date."

Jungkook nods, lets Jimin pass him before he is closing the door behind himself.
Taehyung is in his room.
Jungkook stands in front of the door, "Taehyung?"
There is silence.
"What?"
Jungkook smiles, "are you going to wear that panty tonight?"
The door bursts open, "Jungkook!"

Taehyung looks freshly showered, his hair still wet. Those eyelids flutter when they take Jungkook in and Jungkook is breathless. He is looking at Taehyung with his mouth parted around a gasp.
Taehyung looks so pretty like this. In a simple white shirt and Jeans. Bare faced...

"You are the most beautiful person I know," Jungkook says, smiles when Taehyung's large eyes widen even more, "the prettiest."

Taehyung squints his eyes, "even if I wear the panty, you won't get to see it! So stop being poetic."

Jungkook laughs, shakes his head, "Really?"

Taehyung nods, "now wait there quietly. Watch television or something. I will be out soon."
Jungkook nods, "oh, this is for you."
Taehyung frowns, looks down at the box Jungkook is holding out for him, "what is it?"
"A small gift," Jungkook murmurs, shyly looking away.

Taehyung opens the box and his eyes widen, mouth parting around a gasp.
The diamond shines under the light and Taehyung is closing the box and shoving it in Jungkook's hand.
"This is not something you gift someone on first date, Jungkook! God, how rich are you?! I can't take it!"

Jungkook grips Taehyung's wrist and places the box on top of his palm, "Taehyung, please. Please?"

Taehyung shakes his head, "Jungkook, you know we are not what you trying to make us look like. We," he glances at Jungkook's eyes and looks away, "we hate each other. Why-"

"You hate me," Jungkook murmurs, pulling away, "I never said I hate you. You always behaved like I was someone to look down on. You always were rude and snide with me. I never said a single word about you."

Taehyung grips the box in his hand, "you always tease me. All the time!"

"That's because how else can I gain your attention?" Jungkook huffs a laugh, "you don't even come to my games. You don't attend any parties I go to. Your friend circle is just Jimin. I have no way to interact with you when that's all I want to do. I tease you so you'd notice me."

"You wanted me to notice you?" Taehyung murmurs, voice thin, "I have no social life. I am nothing like your gang. Why would you-"

"Because I like you," Jungkook ignores the heat on his face, tinting his cheeks, "because I like you so much. I always wanted to ask you out."

Taehyung gapes at him now. Jungkook breathes out a laugh, tugs Taehyung closer and plucks the chain from the box.
He steps closer until his face is inches away from Taehyung's before looping the chain around his neck and locking the hook behind Taehyung.
Taehyung stands still.

"Now please get ready fast," Jungkook's lips touch the side of Taehyung's jaw, "I can't wait to take the most beautiful man out on a date."
Taehyung stumbles back, nodding jerkily before he is looking up and blush coating his cheeks. He looks right away, nods and closes the door.

Taehyung doesn't know what to say when they end up in the movie theatre with two large popcorn and diet coke.
The man in the stall grins at them and waves Jungkook off when he offers the money.
"Go, win your boy, kookie!" he cheers as they leave the counter. Taehyung jumps.

When he looks at Jungkook, Jungkook is blushing.
"He is Hoseok hyung," Jungkook pulls him into the theatre, "my friend."
Taehyung nods, "I saw him on campus."
Jungkook nods, "sorry, he is just..."
Taehyung chuckles, "it's okay. Jimin told me to get that dick."
Jungkook stumbles.

Taehyung ignores the way Jungkook holds his hand throughout the movie. He ignores how Jungkook plays with his fingers.
He ignores how the necklace feels around his neck.
He ignores the flutter in his chest whenever he catches Jungkook looking at him instead of the movie. A lot.

The end credit roles and Taehyung leans against the seat, looks at Jungkook, "the film was good. Thank you."
"It was really good," Jungkook nods, grins, "I am glad you liked it."
Taehyung's lips twitch, "how did the film end, Jungkook?"
Jungkook blinks, blushes, "Well.. you saw."

Taehyung bites down on his lower lip, eyes mirthful, "yes, but how did it end, tell me."

Jungkook sighs, rolls his eyes and matches Taehyung's eyes, "it ended with you smiling widely at the screen."

Maybe that's the stupidest line Taehyung has heard in his life. Maybe the smile on Jungkook's lips was the stupidest smile he has seen in his life.
Maybe the crowd moving around them to leave while they sit, facing each other, ignoring everyone is the most cliché thing ever but..

Taehyung finds himself blushing, cheeks heating up and eyes leaving Jungkook's earnest ones. He looks at the blank screen and back at Jungkook.
The thought comes to him as a shock and leaves him a little breathless.
That he doesn't want the night to end. Not yet. Please, not yet.

"The film was good," Taehyung stands up, playing with the hem of his shirt, "now drop me home."

Jungkook stands up too, "but... I wanted to have dinner with you."

Taehyung hates how a breath heaves out of him. He looks at Jungkook and Jungkook looks back.

"Lead the way then."

Taehyung looks down at where Jungkook grabs his hand, slotting their fingers together before pulling him out of the theatre.
Hoseok is outside. Taehyung wonders if the man ever stops smiling. He waves at Jungkook and looks down at their joined hands. His smile grows. He grins.

"Where do you want to eat?" Jungkook asks, standing on the pavement and looking around.
"Didn't you book a table for us?" Taehyung frowns, "the window side? Looking down at the city or something?"
The panic on Jungkook's face is worth the acting. Jungkook pales almost. Eyes wide.

"I will do it now," Jungkook pulls out his phone, "I am sure there will..."

"Take me to a cheap diner," Taehyung sighs, looking down at their joined hands, "a street side food joint. I don't mind, Jungkook," he gives Jungkook a small smile, "I don't mind."

Jungkook pauses.

He steps closer, pushes his phone in his pocket and joins both of their hands, fingers slotting together.

Taehyung lets Jungkook bring his hands to Jungkook's lips, kiss them softly.

"I should have thought this through," Jungkook whispers, "You deserve the finest treatment."

Taehyung doesn't know what compels him. They are standing by the road, the crowd around them moving, some looking at them and some are hurrying past them.

They stand still.

Jungkook's forehead pressed against his and their hands locked together. They breathe the same air.

Taehyung can feel Jungkook's eyelids fluttering against his. He can feel the hot breath leaving Jungkook's lips.

He sighs, closes his eyes, "if this is a prank, Jeon Jungkook," he whispers, ignores how his voice wavers, "if this is how you play me then I swear to God, I will..."

"And if it is not a prank?" Jungkook asks, eyes searching Taehyung's vulnerable ones, "if this is how I actually feel? For you? For us? Then what, Taehyung?"

Taehyung sucks in a breath, "then I am terrified," he steps back a little, "I don't know how to believe all this."

"I will make you believe it," Jungkook steps closer, "not leave your side until you believe that..." Jungkook's fingers tighten around Taehyung's, "that I am enamoured with you."

Taehyung breathes out a laugh, "you know that big word? That's impressive," he sighs, "Jungkook..."

"I will learn new languages," Jungkook grins, "new words. To tell you every day how I feel about you."

Taehyung bites down on his lip to hide the smile that is trying to break onto his lips, "I never thought you would be a sap! The basketball captain. The cool JK..."

"I will be Jungkook for you," Jungkook murmurs, "I will be your Jungkook if you want."
Taehyung looks away, "I would like to eat now. I am hungry."
Jungkook nods, lets go of Taehyung's hand and Taehyung ignores how empty his hands feel.
"Come on then," Jungkook sighs, "let's go."

The diner is a small space with a few tables and chairs scattered around. Taehyung finds a corner one and sits, Jungkook right in front of him.
"The uncle and aunty here know me," he says, smiles, "we come here almost after every match."
"You and your whole gang?" Taehyung asks.

Jungkook shakes his head, "gang. The way you make it sound like we are a cult or something."

Taehyung snorts, "aren't you? The jocks of the uni?"

Jungkook hums, "my gang is just me, Jin hyung, Namjoon hyung, Yoongi hyung and Hobi hyung. Others are just friends. That's all."

"My best friend has a crush on your Yoongi hyung," Taehyung chuckles, "he is very embarrassing about it."
Jungkook grins, "Jimin? I think I have seen him hover around the court."
Taehyung groans, "please don't think he is a creep. He is just..." he shrugs, "in love with Yoongi."

"Do you want me to tell Yoongi hyung?" Jungkook asks, holding out the menu for Taehyung to take.

There's only ten or so items on the menu, Taehyung takes it, reads it and shakes his head, "just tell him to be a little civil around Jimin. I have heard he is very dismissive."

"He is not dismissive," Jungkook sighs, "he is very introverted," he smirks at Taehyung, "you have a lot of misconception about us."

Taehyung glances up at Jungkook and smirks back, "so you don't have a huge dick like the cheerleaders say?"

Jungkook chokes around air.

The conversation drops when the uncle comes over to take their orders. Taehyung listens how the uncle asks Jungkook about the others and smiles at him when Jungkook introduces him to the old man.

Taehyung nods with a small smile.

"The fried-rice is on the house then," he says.

"For your new friend," the uncle pats Jungkook's back and leaves.
"He is nice," Taehyung says, leaning against the chair.
"Because he gave you free food?" Jungkook asks, "and I am not nice? I am paying for the whole meal!"
Taehyung rolls his eyes, "stop fishing for compliments."

Taehyung hides his smile behind his hand when Jungkook pouts, mutters how unfair Taehyung is being.
He keeps pouting until Taehyung sighs and rolls his eyes.

"You are not that bad," Taehyung hums, "I liked the movie, I think I will like the meal."

"What about the company?" Jungkook fishes, laughs when Taehyung kicks him under the table.

Taehyung smiles, lower lip bitten between his teeth, "the company is a dork, it seems. He is not as cool as his friends believe him to be."

Jungkook sighs dramatically, "I lose my cool around you, Kim Taehyung."

Taehyung snorts, "so I make you a dork?"

Jungkook nods, eyes soft and the smile softer, "you make me human. Ground me when my ego gets too high. When you walk past me without paying me any mind..."

, I fall a little more. When you give me your unimpressed expression, I find myself trying harder, just to get your approval."
Taehyung looks away, "stop being poetic!"
"You love poetry," Jungkook defends, "I have seen you read those books in the library. Seen you smile at them."

Taehyung has no answer. He thanks the gods for sending the uncle back with their meals.

He plates them and pushes the chopsticks at Jungkook.
Jungkook waits, watching Taehyung take a small bite of his portion and hum in approval.

"This is amazing!" Taehyung murmurs, awed.

Taehyung notices Jungkook wiping off the curry from each chicken piece before placing them on Taehyung's plate.
He frowns, "what are you doing?"
Jungkook pauses, nods towards the curry, "it's spicy. You can't eat spicy."
Taehyung blinks, "who told you that? How do you know that?"

Jungkook blushes, looks down at his plate, "I noticed."
Taehyung feels the way his heart flutters in his chest, he ignores how tingly his fingertips feel all of a sudden.
He makes a face, "you stalk me. Don't you?"
Jungkook smiles, "no, silly. I just..." he shrugs, "noticed it."

Taehyung focuses on the chicken on his plate and nods, "if you say so."

They eat in silence after that. Eyes meeting over their meals and soft smiles shared between them, they finish their portions.

"How come I didn't know about this place?" Taehyung wonders aloud, pouting.

Jungkook shrugs, gets up, "you could have if you hung out with the cool gang."
Taehyung rolled his eyes, "cool, my ass. You all are too rowdy for my taste."
Jungkook grins, "have you met the guys properly? Ever?"
Taehyung shakes his head, "no. I just know you all are stupid."

Jungkook rolls his eyes, goes over to pay the bill, and Taehyung follows him.
"Come back with the gang soon," aunty says by the counter, "Yoongi promised me he will try my new soup recipe, tell him to visit."
Jungkook nods, smiles, bows, "I will be back."
Taehyung watches him.

When they are out on the road, Jungkook loiters, looks around and sighs.

"What?" Taehyung asks, noticing how Jungkook's eyes search around the street, "what are you searching for?"

Jungkook's shoulders drop, "something to engage you with. I don't want this night to end. Ever."

Taehyung looks around, hands shoved in his pockets, "it's late, though."

Jungkook nods, lets out a soft chuckle, "you are right."

Taehyung watches him pull out his phone, open it and hold it out for Taehyung after opening the gallery.

Taehyung takes it, looks at Jungkook.

"Delete the photo," Jungkook smiles, "from my phone. For yourself so you don't have any doubt later. Then you are free to leave, Taehyung."
Taehyung's hand tighten around the phone. He looks down at the photo and gulps.
He presses delete. Goes to recycle bin and erases it.

He gives the phone back to Jungkook and watches Jungkook shove it into his pocket.
"Let me drop you off at least," Jungkook offers and Taehyung nods.
They walk side by side. Jungkook's hands in his pockets and Taehyung's hands clutched together.
Their eyes stealing glances.

When they finally stand in front of Taehyung's building, Jungkook is pulling him closer for a hug.
Taehyung lets Jungkook wrap his arms around him, bury his face against Taehyung's neck.
Taehyung stands still, immobile.
He doesn't know what to say or do when Jungkook steps away.

Jungkook's eyes are sad, his smile small and full of longing.

"I will remember this night, Taehyung," Jungkook huffs out a breath, "Thank you for letting me take you out on a date. You don't know how much it meant to me. I know, you probably had better dates and just a movie..."

"With streetside food is not something you will call your best date but-" he looks at Taehyung, "but it meant a lot to me. Thank you."

Taehyung stands there, watches Jungkook step away from him, the darkness of the night enveloping him as the distance grow between them.

Taehyung stands there. Even after Jungkook's silhouette fades around the corner.

He blinks, hand lifting to touch the pendant hanging from the necklace. A sigh escapes his mouth.

He turns on his heels and gets inside the building.

"I don't know a lot about dates, Jungkook, but..." Taehyung looks down at the pendant, "I will never forget this one either. And it's not because of the film or street-side food or the walks. It's because of you. I won't forget Jeon Jungkook. The one I saw tonight."

This was supposed to be a drabble. Oh, well...