Straight Until Proven Gay (kissing doesn’t count) • Chapter 3 • 5.7K (Patreon)

< Chapter 2

———————

“How could you not tell me?!”

Hoseok covers his ears when he yells at him.

“Dude, ssh!”

“Not ssh. Why did you pick Jimin to play as our libero?! Why didn’t you ask me first-“

“Because. I’m the team captain. Jimin has played volley, he’s good.”

Jeongguk is lost for words for a second, and Hoseok just turns and starts packing like it’s a normal Tuesday. He’s not having it.

“And you never bothered to tell me he played?”

“No Jeongguk, I didn’t. Suck it up.” Hoseok snaps, glaring at him. “What do you have against Jimin anyway?”

He opens his mouth, then closes it.

What does he have against Jimin?

“He’s- he’s just insufferable. Always has something to say, and he’s- he’s mean.”

Hoseok is unimpressed, stares at him, taps his foot on the floor and glances at the door.

“You know what Jeongguk? You’re insufferable lately. You’ve been angry since the day you found out Tae’s in an open relationship. What the fuck is up with you?”

Jeongguk swallows, wants to argue but his throat tightens. Like his body knows him better than himself. Looking back at it, he does feel angry lately, he feels pent-up frustration, agitation, confusion. And Jimin is somehow tied to all of that.

“I don’t know. I’m just.. tired.”

“Then sleep it out. I made a decision, deal with it.”

Hoseok says, walking out of the changing rooms.

Jeongguk just stands there with his bag, filled with all of these stupid emotions. He wants to kick something. Then his phone buzzes in his pocket, and he groans when he sees Jae’s name on the screen. Not now.

“Yeah?”

“We have to talk.”

Jae’s voice is tense, and she doesn’t elaborate.

It’s evident where this is going.

Jeongguk clutches his phone tightly in his hand and takes a deep breath.

“Are you breaking up with me?”

It stays silent on the other end.

“If you are, just say it now.”

“Don’t be like that.”

“Just say it.”

“Jeongguk-“

“Say it.”

“Fuck it, fine. Yes, I am breaking up with you. I was gonna ask you to come over and talk like adults, but you clearly don’t have the fucking time to have a decent conversation. You don’t have time for anything but fucking me.”

Her voice is so loud that he has to move the phone away from his ear a bit. He’s lucky to be alone in the changing rooms.

“I just didn’t want to feel shit all the way to your place when I know what you’re gonna say.”

“No, you just don’t have the fucking balls to face me. You haven’t looked properly at me for months now.”

Jeongguk stares at the wall, doesn’t know what to say to it. Doesn’t know if it’s true. It probably is.

“I.. I will come over if you want me to.”

“There it is. ‘If you want me to.’ You don’t want to, you don’t like me anymore and it’s so obvious. It doesn’t surprise me anyway, you’re always around Taehyung and Hoseok.”

That sentence stirs something within him. His ears run hot and his hands get sweaty.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

Jae laughs humourlessly from the other end.

“Do I really have to spell it out for you?”

“Yes.”

“You’re gay.”

Jeongguk feels his stomach turn when she says it, suddenly nauseous. And he’s angry, can’t believe how many times he’s been told this now.

“I’m not, but if that makes you feel better go ahead.”

“Yeah sure. Call me when you find out.”

“I won’t.”

He hangs up the phone. Anger and guilt consume him and for a moment he considers throwing his phone on the floor. He controls his impulses though, just stands there breathing heavily, feeling sick.

It takes him some time to gather himself, and then he just walks out.

———————

Taehyung notices something’s wrong as soon as he walks in. The sweet smile he receives is soon replaced by a frown.

“What happened?”

Jeongguk drops his bag and just slumps down next to Taehyung on the couch, massaging his temples.

“Got dumped.”

“Oh shit.”

Taehyung stands up immediately, walks to the fridge to grab them both a beer. Jeongguk takes it and sighs, glad it’s just the two of them. He isn’t sure if he could handle Jimin at this moment.

“She just called. Said we needed to talk.”

“That sucks.”

“Yeah.”

He takes a sip of the beer, lets the cold and bitter taste calm him down a bit.

“Did she say why?”

Taehyung asks, rubbing a soothing hand over his shoulder.

“She thinks I’m gay.”

The rubbing stops, and Taehyung’s eyes widen a bit.

“She what?”

Jeongguk feels instantly relieved that at least Taehyung is surprised to hear it. It makes him feel a little less nauseous.

“Yeah, she thinks because I hang out with you and Hoseok I turned gay.”

Taehyung snorts then, clasps his hand over his mouth, but then realises the situation and tries to act serious. Jeongguk waves his hand dismissively.

“It’s fine, you can laugh. It’s so fucking stupid.”

“It’s.. wow. It’s just something I would never think you would break up over.”

“Me too.”

He sighs, shaking his head.

“How are you feeling?”

Taehyung asks.

Honestly, it should be easy to answer. He just got dumped, his arch nemesis is joining his volleyball team, he’s been told he’s gay for what feels like the 100th time..

“I don’t know. I wanted to break up, so I thought I’d feel relieved, but now.. I just don’t know.”

“Yeah, Jimin told me you two talked about it.”

He tenses up immediately after Taehyung says that. His throat suddenly feels tight as he thinks about that night he and Jimin drank. He carefully analyses the look in Taehyung’s eyes, doesn’t think he looks at him any differently than normal.

“Blondie said that?”

“Yeah, just said that you were thinking about breaking up.”

Jeongguk waits, waits for something else, he’s not sure what. But when it doesn’t come he relaxes, and just nods.

“And that you haven’t gotten head in ages and might be so stuck-up cause of that.”

Jeongguk groans, drops his head in his hands and hears Taehyung chuckle next to him. Of course Jimin said that.

“I know you don’t really like him but he’s got a point. You were way more relaxed a year ago.”

“Is everything about sex with you two? Blondie couldn’t shut up about it either.”

“It isn’t, but out of the two of us I think I’m doing pretty well, and it correlates with the number of blowjobs I get compared to you.”

“You’re unbearable.”

“At least I get head.”

They just look at each other, shaking their heads and drinking their beer.

“But, now that you’re single, there’s a lot of volley girls that have been eyeing you.”

Taehyung says, quirking his eyebrow. Jeongguk blinks, can’t remember any eyeing.

“When?”

“Last time at your game? Didn’t you notice the women’s team on the stands?”

Last game. The game where Taehyung and Jimin came to look. He only remembers Jimin’s eyes running over his body. A shiver runs down his spine, and he shakes his head.

“I didn’t..”

“Really? They were swooning over you.”

“Oh.”

He rubs the back of his neck, tries to remember the women’s team, but all he sees is bleach blonde hair.

“Anyway. You’re single. Enjoy it while you can because I know you’ll be off the market within a month.”

Taehyung pats his knee. Then he gasps suddenly, startles Jeongguk almost.

“Come to Sway!”

“Sway.”

“Yeah! It’s always so much fun. You’ve never come along.”

“It’s a gay bar.”

Jeongguk explains.

Taehyung shakes his head.

“LGBTQ+ really. There’s girls too!”

“Lesbians.”

“Bi girls, pan girls too.”

Taehyung argues.

Jeongguk sighs, already feeling fidgety just thinking about going to a gay bar. There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just that.. he’s hated eccentric stuff all his life. He likes it when everyone has the same colour hair, the same type of clothes, nothing that sticks out.

And at a gay bar, everyone sticks out.

“Oh come on. I know you’re boring but just try it once, for me. Besides, Hoseok and Jimin are there too!”

“Oh joy.”

Taehyung pushes him lightly.

“Don’t be like that.”

He pushes him back.

“I’ll think about it.”

He promises, seeing Taehyung make a tiny victory gesture with his hands.

His heart melts a little just seeing Taehyung so happy. It’s been the complete opposite half a year ago. How many times he had to drag Taehyung out of his dark room to a party just to bring some life to his face.

It’s hard to deny him anything, especially when he looks at him with those pleading eyes.

He’s quite handsome, isn’t he?

Jeongguk blinks at his own thoughts, suddenly panics. Not in love, he’s not in love with Taehyung. He’s not gay, not in love. Taehyung is handsome, yes, factually, a handsome man. Just a fact, not because he likes him like that.

“Are you okay?”

Taehyung puts his hand on his knee, and Jeongguk is suddenly aware of the touch, feels his skin warm up underneath it. He looks down at it, notices how long Taehyung’s fingers are.

He stands up quickly.

“Y-yeah. I’m fine. I’m just gonna take a quick shower.”

Taehyung frowns, but then shrugs.

“Sure. See you in a bit.”

“Yeah.”

Jeongguk swallows, buries his thoughts deep, deep down. Doesn’t want to confront himself. Blames it on his fried brain from the break-up.

———————

He walks out of the shower, feeling reborn.

“Tae, we’re out of shampoo. I’m pretty sure I bought some not too long ago, do you know-“

Bleach blonde hair stares him right in the face when he looks up through his wet strands of dark hair. Jimin is sitting cross-legged on the couch, and now glances up from his phone.

Jeongguk clenches his jaw tightly, feeling exposed walking in just a towel. He can’t ever have his own time in this house. Jimin is always lurking around the corner somewhere.

“Jeon..”

Jimin doesn’t look up into his eyes once, just stares at his body. Sharp eyes run down his chest, abs, legs, and back up again. It’s so obvious that Jeongguk feels all blood rush up to his face. He’s never dealt with blatant staring from a guy before, doesn’t know what to do.

Jimin snaps out of it, blinks a few times and shakes his head, then looks back down at his phone. Like nothing happened. Jeongguk keeps standing there for a few seconds, unable to tell if he disliked that or not.

“I.. I haven’t seen your shampoo. Taehyung is.. uh.. getting dressed.”

Jimin says then, not looking up.

“He was already dressed.”

“Ah? Oh- yeah. He’s uh- he’s getting changed I mean. We’re going out tonight.”

Is Jimin.. flustered?

Jeongguk eyes over him, sees that the tips of his ears are slightly red.

“Wanna come?”

Jimin asks then, not really inviting him but saying it because it sounds nice. Just in case Taehyung is overhearing their conversation.

“I don’t know.”

He’s suddenly aware he’s standing there in just a towel, so he starts walking in the direction of his room.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t if I were you. You wouldn’t last half an hour in there.”

Jeongguk’s eyebrow twitches, and he looks over his shoulder just to see Jimin’s uninterested face looking at his phone. He’s such a fucking menace, always riling him up like this.

“I’m coming.”

He says then, going into his bedroom and closing his door.

———————

Why did he have to do that?

10 minutes in, he already feels so incredibly out of place. He’s been stared at like he belongs on the streets, disapproved by gays and lesbians, and asked to leave multiple times.

Obviously, a straight guy coming into a gay bar is gonna cause reactions like this. He’s got to deal with it. Told everyone he’s there with his gay friends. His gay friends who are off being gay somewhere. He hasn’t seen them, lost them after 5 minutes into the crowd.

Maybe Jimin was right after all. This isn’t his place. His scene, as one would say. Imagine if Jae found him here, a complete nightmare. They broke up what, 4 hours ago?

He finally makes his way to the bar. At least something that will help him get through this night. When he gets his beer he just looks around. Girls on girls, guys on guys, dancing, drinking, kissing, singing along.

Having Taehyung as his roommate, it’s not like he hasn’t seen it before, but it’s everywhere now. He ends up just looking down at his beer, drinks it quietly. He keeps looking at the time, needs to be here long enough just to prove Jimin wrong, and then he’s out.

“Hey.”

He looks up, sees a familiar face.

“I’m Namjoon, from the-“

“Bar. Yes, I remember. I’m Jeongguk.”

“I know.”

Namjoon steps closer, the music is a little too loud and he doesn’t want to scream over it.

“What are you doing here?”

Namjoon asks. Jeongguk raises his beer glass, because that’s the only thing keeping him sane in this place. He doesn’t fit in here at all.

“You’re here with Jimin?”

“With Taehyung actually, but Jimin unfortunately happens to be here too.”

Namjoon quirks an eyebrow, and Jeongguk reminds himself that Namjoon is Jimin’s colleague, and probably friend. He can’t complain about him, it will just come back to bite him in the ass.

“Jimin and I are arch enemies.”

He explains.

“Arch enemies who drink together?”

Right. He was working then.

“That was once. Taehyung wants us to get along.”

“I see.”

Namjoon drinks his own beer, and Jeongguk now discovers their height difference. Namjoon is quite tall, and broad. With slight jealousy he eyes over Namjoon’s arms, and pecs, can see them bulge under his shirt. Must get all the girls he wants.

Wait.

“Why.. why are you here?”

He asks then, suspicious.

“Just looking for fun.”

Namjoon shrugs, looking over the crowd of people tangled up in each other.

Jeongguk is for some reason quite shocked to see Namjoon here. At the bar he seemed.. straight? And it’s fine if he’s not straight, but he just can’t imagine it. A guy like him; tall, handsome, cool, strong. He must be straight right?

“What?”

Namjoon bumps his shoulder with his own to bring him back to reality.

“Nothing. You just look..”

“Straight?”

“Not to be .. offensive?”

Is that offensive? It feels offensive in a gay bar.

Namjoon laughs, doesn’t seem to find it offensive. His dimples pop out, Jeongguk hasn’t seen such defined dimples in a long time.

“I’m bi, and I take girls home more than guys. But there’s some guys..”

Some guys..

Namjoon doesn’t say anything else, but looks over the crowd, eyes landing on someone in the corner. Jeongguk follows his gaze, finds Jimin right there, leaning against the wall, two men talking to him at the same time.

Jeongguk’s eyebrow twitches as he sees how Jimin is enjoying the attention, smiling so prettily, laughing along, drinking his beer. Even in a place like this, he sticks out. Jeongguk recognises his bleach blonde hair everywhere.

Maybe even if he wouldn’t dye his hair, he could recognise him just by his legs.

He looks back at Namjoon, feels suddenly a bit insignificant.

“You like Blondie?”

The sourness of it translates in his tone.

“He’s got something special.”

Namjoon shrugs.

“Yeah he’s especially annoying.”

Jeongguk agrees, ordering another beer because he needs it.

“No, I mean.. even though I prefer girls, I just can’t deny that Jimin.. he’s sexy? For lack of better words.”

Something about that irks Jeongguk. He hums disinterested, chugs his beer in one go and orders another one. He can’t stand being sober at this point.

“I know you obviously don’t like him, but don’t you think so?”

Jeongguk pokes his tongue in his cheek and looks over at Jimin once again. He tries to let go of his annoyance, and properly look at him.

He hates to admit that Namjoon is right. Something about the way he moves, the way he smiles, the way he challenges others, how he speaks.. it’s sexy. For a man. Elegant.

Jimin’s eyes land on his own, and he feels a static shock run over his back. He quickly averts his eyes.

“I suppose.”

He says then, not really wanting to acknowledge it.

“So what about you?”

Namjoon asks.

“What about me?”

“You have a girlfriend right? I accidentally overheard a bit last time.”

“Ah..”

Jeongguk finally gets his new beer, likes to have something to distract him from Namjoon’s intense eyes. They’re very sharp.

“Just got dumped.”

“Oh, I’m sorry-“

“It’s fine.”

He brushes it off. He’s not particularly sad about it, nor angry. It will just suck to tell his mom, she was practically planning their marriage.

“So you’re not looking for anything?”

Namjoon asks, his tone assuming he isn’t.

To be honest, Jeongguk isn’t sure. He just came out of a one year relationship, and he’s only here to prove Jimin wrong. He hasn’t as much as looked at a girl. But if something happened, it’s not like he’d say no.

“Because.. I think they might be.”

Jeongguk looks up in the direction Namjoon is gesturing, sees two girls quickly turn their heads the other way. He keeps looking, sees one of them turn to look at him, smiling before averting her gaze again.

“I’m just gonna go over there..”

Namjoon says then, disappearing into the crowd. Jeongguk watches as one of the girls wraps her arms around Namjoon’s neck easily. The other girl keeps looking at him.

It’s a bad idea.

But the alcohol starts to hit.

Talking is impossible over the music, but the girl, it seems, doesn’t want him to. She just smiles, hand already on his chest, body already pressed against his own. She shouts something over the music, something about volley. He just nods.

She’s pretty tall, and he thinks she’s in the women’s volleyball team. Didn’t Taehyung say there were some girls swooning over him at the game?

They don’t exchange much more, she just feels him up as they dance. It’s nice, to be touched like this, looked at with dark eyes full of desire. And she feels good in his hands, he likes the curve of her hips, likes her long legs.

It surprises him, though it really shouldn’t. With Jae it had all started to feel like a chore, a routine, and it made him doubt himself a lot. But this, feeling this thrill, this attraction, it cures him instantly.

He breathes a sigh of relief when her thigh brushes against his crotch, feels his mouth water just when he looks at her lips.

And maybe he gets even higher of the confirmation that he is still straight than actually liking to dance with her. But that’s okay, at least he can say that even at a gay bar, guys don’t tempt him.

So fuck Jae, and fuck everyone who thinks they can decide his sexuality.

And fuck Jimin, who is looking right at him.

Jeongguk feels his heart skip a beat. Jimin keeps looking, challenging him. Even when Jeongguk panics and kisses the girl in his arms to get rid of that feeling, Jimin keeps looking with his sharp eyes, as if he knows something he doesn’t. Jeongguk can’t look away, feels a shiver run down his spine because it’s wrong. It’s so wrong.

How can he hold her close like this, hand on her waist, kissing her while his eyes are focused on Jimin?

It’s only when Jimin quirks an eyebrow, flashes a lazy grin his way, that Jeongguk closes his eyes tightly. As if that somehow helps against the way his heart clenches. As if he can’t feel those eyes still on him when he pulls her closer.

Alcohol. It’s the alcohol.

He tells himself that, the rest of the night. Every time he makes eye contact with Jimin, and he feels a knot in his stomach, he tells himself it’s the alcohol.

It’s just the alcohol.

———————

“I thought you said he was good.”

Jeongguk says.

Jimin shoots him daggers from across the court.

And yeah, maybe Jeongguk is hitting the ball extra hard just to see Jimin struggle, but if he wants to join for a game, he’s got to do better.

“He is. He just hasn’t played in a while, give him time.”

Hoseok says, ready to set another ball. They’ve divided the team to play against each other, specifically to train their new recruits.

“Next game is in two weeks. We don’t have much time.”

Hoseok sets the ball, this time for the opposite hitter. When he hits, Jimin has it. He’s agile, fast, but his aim is slightly off. Jeongguk knows though, if it was his hard hit, Jimin would have missed.

He clenches his jaw when Jimin receives a compliment, because he doesn’t deserve it. He needs to do better.

“Set for me.”

Jeongguk calls when the ball comes back over. Hoseok sets perfectly, and he hits it hard over the net. Jimin runs, touches it, but barely, the ball flies to the other side of the court. Out.

“If he wants to play, he has to do better than this.”

He says, loud enough for Jimin to hear. He shoots a glance over at him right after, sees how Jimin clenches his jaw, clearly pissed. It looks good on him.

“You’re hitting too hard.”

Hoseok says.

“Our opponents also hit that hard.”

“Cut him some slack-“

“It’s fine.”

Jimin calls, and walks up to the net. Jeongguk looks at him, likes the fire, that simmering hatred Jimin carries just for him.

“Keep going like that.”

Jimin says, determined.

“I only want hard hits, don’t go easy on me.”

Something about that sparks Jeongguk’s interest. For some reason he’d thought Jimin would get pissed and give up, but he likes this type of spirit.

“Okay.”

They hold eye contact a little longer, and Jeongguk feels heat flare up his neck. Excitement and something else. Something darker.

When Jimin walks back to his position, Jeongguk follows his exposed legs. Can’t remember ever seeing them outside of skinny jeans, but fuck. He does have big thighs. The loose shorts still stretch over them.

“Jeongguk.”

“Hm?“

He turns his head to Hoseok, sees him look at him like he’s crazy.

“Serve? Third time I ask.”

“Oh.”

He nods, quickly gets the ball and serves. He doesn’t have time to answer Hoseok’s silent question of ‘what the fuck was that?’, wouldn’t answer it honestly anyway.

So for now he just focusses.

He gives Jimin hell.

Hit after hit, making him miss each time. But Jimin doesn’t get tired of it. Even when he starts sweating, gets red in the face, he goes for every ball, unafraid.

It’s only at the end of training that Jimin finally properly receives a hard hit.

“Nice!”

Jeongguk calls, sees Jimin’s face light up when he receives a compliment from him. A smile, finally one of those smiles where his eyes almost close, his pretty teeth all on display.

He’s beautiful.

Starstruck, Jeongguk can’t help but stare, thinks that he gets it now. What Taehyung says, what Namjoon says, what Hoseok says about Jimin. He’s got something special. A certain charm.

Hoseok bumps his shoulder with his own.

“Hey.”

Jeongguk gathers himself, clears his throat and looks at Hoseok. He’s looking at him knowingly, one of his eyebrows raised.

“Hey.”

“Training’s over.”

“Yeah.”

Hoseok keeps looking at him, so he goes to grab his stuff to feel less analysed. Everyone slowly makes their way to the changing rooms, but Hoseok waits for him.

“Are we good?”

Hoseok asks first.

Jeongguk nods immediately. He almost forgot about the whole ordeal.

“Yeah. Sorry for yelling at you. And for the thing with Tae.”

“It’s all good.”

That’s one thing he likes about Hoseok. They always make up quickly, never dwell on it.

“What do you think about Jimin?”

Jeongguk feels his heartbeat raise at the sudden change of topic.

“Nothing. I mean, he’s Tae’s boyfriend. I don’t really like him.”

Hoseok looks at him, but doesn’t say anything. It gets on his nerves, feels like he should say more.

“Like, we’re sworn enemies. So, you know? It’s like-“

“I meant in volleyball.”

Volleyball. Of course he meant that. Jeongguk feels his ears turn red, can’t believe he didn’t get that the first time.

“Oh. He’s good.”

“Right..”

Hoseok says, something about his tone of voice makes Jeongguk feel caught, but he doesn’t ask.

When they get to the hallway, Jimin is standing there, still in volley clothes, ball under his arm.

“Jeon. Can we stay overtime? I was just getting into it.”

“Uh..”

Jeongguk rubs the back of his head, impressed that Jimin shows so much enthusiasm.

“Yeah the.. the other court is still open. If you want-“

“Okay let’s go.”

Jimin walks past both of them, heading towards the court. It seems he’s as enthusiastic about volley as he is about skinny jeans and Chelsea boots.

“Sworn enemies..”

Hoseok muses.

“Okay, just because we’re gonna train together doesn’t mean we’re not enemies.”

Jeongguk says, distractedly looking over his shoulder at Jimin, who’s waving him over.

“Yeah. Just because you’re enemies doesn’t mean you can’t look at his legs.”

He turns his head quickly to look at Hoseok, feels a knot in his stomach, heat flaring up his face.

“I don’t-“

“Alright.”

Hoseok holds up his hands in defence, but he still has that knowing look as he disappears into the changing rooms.

———————

“Again.”

Jimin says, completely drenched in sweat.

Jeongguk looks at the clock. They’ve been at it for almost an hour, way longer than he anticipated.

“You’re not gonna miss any less.”

“Miss? I’ve got almost all of them.”

Jimin huffs.

“Your aim is off.”

He says.

“There’s no setter to aim at.”

Jimin points at the empty space at the net for emphasis, as if Jeongguk doesn’t know.

“Then pretend-“

“I am. And I’m good.”

“If you’re aiming for a midget maybe.”

Truth is, Jimin is good. His arms are red from receiving all of his hits, and he’s not afraid. He’s fast, he dives well, uses his limbs to his advantage. And his aim is good enough. But it could be better.

When he hits again, he looks at Jimin this time, analyses him a little better. Just a slight lack of balance, and his aim is off.

“Ah. I think I know.”

He walks under the net over to Jimin, wipes his sweat off his forehead.

“Know what?”

“Pass it back.”

Jeongguk says as he throws a ball from a short distance, and when Jimin receives, he moves his arms the right way, but he’s not turned completely towards him.

“Your position is slightly off. You do all the aiming with your arms.”

“I know what I’m doing-“

“Clearly you don’t.”

“I do-“

“Shut up and listen.”

Jimin glares at him, but he does shut up. It gives Jeongguk a thrill of satisfaction to be able to scold someone older than him.

“You have to turn your entire body. Not just your arms.”

He displays it with his own body, the difference in how Jimin receives and how he would receive a hit.

Jimin examines his stance, then tries to copy him.

“Yeah, like that but-“

He puts his hands on Jimin’s hips, aligns them with the way his upper body is turned.

“Make sure you’re centred.”

“I- I was centred.”

“No, you were here.”

He moves Jimin back in the position he was in, maybe a little further apart than he actually was, just to make a point.

“This is- this is ridiculous. You’re making a fuss about a minor difference in stance.”

“It matters.”

He puts Jimin back into the right position.

“Just listen to me Blondie.”

The nickname slips, but Jimin doesn’t react.

He actually doesn’t say anything for a few seconds. Then he looks up at him, down to where Jeongguk’s hands are still curled around his hips.

“Oh.”

He quickly lets go, takes a step back. He forgets sometimes that he gets handsy when explaining.

“Sorry, I was just trying to explain-“

“It’s fine.”

Jimin stands back up straight, cracks his neck. Then he looks at the clock.

“Last one?”

Jeongguk nods, grabs the ball and walks over to the other side of the court.

“Don’t miss.”

“I won’t.”

Jimin promises.

Jeongguk hates to admit that he kind of likes Jimin like this. He then throws the ball up high for himself, jumps and hits. It’s a dirty one, but Jimin’s there, receives it, and aims perfectly.

“Nice one.”

He calls.

Jimin smiles again, exhausted, then pushes his hair back.

There’s something about that..

When Jimin’s hair is in his face he looks.. rounder? But like this he looks masculine, sharp dark eyebrows visible, features more prominent.

“Told you I’d have it.”

Jimin says, squaring his shoulders, cocky smile spreading on his lips.

“Barely.”

Jeongguk says, then nods his head over to the ball.

“Get the ball. Let’s head out.”

———————

In the changing rooms, Jeongguk takes off his clothes. He’s never sweat this much from training, everything is just drenched. He throws them on the bench, grabs his towel.

When he turns and sees Jimin also getting undressed, he almost startles.

“What are you doing?”

Jimin looks over his shoulder, frowns.

“I’m gonna shower?”

Right. It’s a group shower. It’s normal to shower together after training. He showers with all his teammates. Normal. It’s normal.

“Right, sorry.”

Jeongguk quickly walks to the showers, chooses one in the corner, furthest away from the door. Nerves eat him alive.

Showering with Jimin is weird. He’s never done it before, he’s not used to it. Jimin is Taehyung’s boyfriend, but also his teammate, so it should be normal. But it’s not.

He can’t help but wash his body quickly, not wanting to spend time with Jimin under the shower.

“I forgot my body wash, can I use yours?”

Jeongguk startles when Jimin’s voice is right next to him.

“Sorry, I’m light on my feet.”

Jimin excuses.

Jeongguk takes a quick peek, looks at Jimin who’s already picking up his body wash from the floor. He holds it up, looks him in the eyes, bleach blonde hair all wet and pushed back.

“Can I?”

“Yeah.”

Normal. This is normal.

Jimin is naked next to him. That’s normal.

He takes deep, calming breaths while he washes his hair, closing his eyes under the stream of the water.

Would Jimin.. look at him?

Of course not, he wouldn’t look.

But he could. Right now, he could be looking. Jeongguk wouldn’t know if he was.

He swallows, opens his eyes to take a look at Jimin, who’s just showering like a normal person. Eyes closed, washing his hair. There’s nothing to worry about. There’s nothing gay about this.

Nothing remotely homosexual.

Foam runs down Jimin’s neck, over his back.

All his muscles look defined underneath the lights. Jeongguk follows it over the small of his back, reaching the curve of his ass.

Oh.

Round.

For a guy. It’s pretty round. He can almost not see the difference between his or woman’s body there. Except when his eyes travel over Jimin’s legs, they’re defined like his back, thick thighs that betray how much he works out. Long as well, even though he’s smaller than Jeongguk.

His eyes travel back up, back to his ass, almost can’t believe he didn’t notice before. Plump and round, like a peach.

Jeongguk’s cock twitches, and he quickly averts his gaze, looks down at his body.

Fuck.

No.

He panics, turns his back towards Jimin.

Schedules, school, class, volley, Jimin in volleyball clothes, thick thighs, soft ass cheeks-

Fuck.

He’s already hard.

“You good?”

Jimin asks.

“Yeah.”

He nods, doesn’t know what to do. He’s already washed up, but he can’t walk out now. Jimin will see. So he just awkwardly stands there, back turned, doing nothing.

“Are you always shy under the showers or is it just because I’m gay?”

“Jimin.”

“What? You shower with all of your teammates but you’re all uncomfortable with me. just admit it.”

“Why would I be uncomfortable with you? You’re not making any sense.”

“You were acting weird when I said I wanted to shower, and now you’re standing with your back turned towards me.”

Jeongguk swallows, looks down at his cock, still hard against his stomach. Why does Jimin have to have the prettiest ass he’s ever seen?

“If I was a straight guy you wouldn’t have cared. Honestly you’re just as bad as your teammates. Next time, throw yourself out of the team.”

“Jimin, please just shut the fuck up.”

“No, you’re a fucking dick. Are you afraid I’m gonna look? That as a gay guy I can’t keep my eyes or hands off of you?”

“No-“

“That I’ll just drop down at the sight of you? How big is your ego to think I would ever want to suck your-“

“Listen-“

“That’s it isn’t it? You’re afraid because I’m in an open relationship I’ll just jump you.”

“That’s not true.”

Jeongguk snaps.

“Then what?”

A hand curls around his shoulder and he’s forcefully turned around by Jimin, met by dark brown eyes simmering with anger.

Fuck.

No.

He quickly hides his hard cock with his hands, all blood rushing up to his face.

Jimin blinks, anger slowly fading as he realises. Sharp eyes travel down over his body, and Jeongguk braces himself.

A soft gasp leaves Jimin’s lips, and then he quickly looks away.

“I- you’re- I’m sorry-“

Jeongguk yanks his arm back, hurriedly grabs his stuff because he needs to get out of there.

“Jeongguk I-“

“Save it.”

He walks out of the showers, embarrassed to the core. He quickly gets dressed, still completely wet, doesn’t want to talk to Jimin any longer.

Fuck.

What the fuck was he even thinking?

—————

Chapter 4 >