Chapter Text
Taehyung spat out another sunflower seed at Jimin making the short stop scrunch his nose up in disgust and weakly push Taehyung away. The hot weather made everything seem blurry and the heat waves could be seen steaming off the field. Taehyung and Jimin sat in the shade of the batting cages, lazing around while they were supposed to be practicing their swinging form. Instead the duo threw their helmets and bats aside and grabbed a bag of sunflower seeds to chat over.
Taehyung shoved another handful of the seeds in his mouth sucking the salty taste off the outside before starting to crack them open one by one and eat the tiny seed inside, flicking the slimy saliva covered shells out at his best friend.
The pair sighed, it was too hot outside to do much but Namjoon, the captain of the team, insisted that they practice everyday no matter what. Taehyung groaned just thinking of the hell that Namjoon had been putting them through the last couple of weeks to prepare them for the upcoming season.
Taehyung loves baseball and that's why he decided to continue playing into college no matter how much work everyone had said it would be. He fortunately got offered a scholarship to play for a pretty good university in Seoul (he had been living in Daegu at the time). So he packed up, said goodbye to his parents and came out to Seoul so Namjoon could drill his ass in the mid summer weather to prepare for spring season. Last year was his first year at the college and on the team and he loved it to say the least.
Spring training was a bitch but Taehyung loved the team immediately when he first arrived as a freshman and he was glad he decided to join them. Their team was good but not the best, they had in the past always been second or third for regionals, just last year they got second which was exciting for Taehyung and disappointing for seniors who had hoped to get first. This year Namjoon was determined to get first and started training early, giving the team only a month for summer break and Taehyung had even less time to visit Daegu and his parents before coming back.
The enthusiasm was great but Taehyung often missed the quiet country and his family in comparison to the loud city and busy college life he now lived. Taehyung dozed while staring out at the field, remembering his siblings and his dog soonshim. His daydream was interrupted when Jimin slapped him on the back of the head and hissed, “Namjoon is coming get up you dumbass”
Taehyung scrambled up and shoved on his helmet quickly. Jimin was already standing behind the net with a ball in his hand ready to toss by the time Tae had stood up. He could hear Namjoon’s voice and another coming up from around the corner so he swung his bat up and rolled his shoulders, nodding at Jimin.
Jimin tossed the ball and Taehyung's body stiffened up as he watched the ball fly towards him. When the ball was at the right spot, Taehyung’s body relaxed and fluidly moved, his hands snapping forwards so quick the entire movement took only half a second. His hips twisted and his hands drove the bat toward the ball smoothly. The ball hit the center of the bat, making a satisfying crack.
The ball flew through the air quickly and straight back at Jimin. The boy flinched as the ball hit the net right in front of him and plopped back down to the ground.
Taehyung laughs and Jimin’s expression turns sour, “You know the ball isn’t going to hit you!” Tae teases, resting his hand on his hip. He walks towards Jimin and the shorter grumbles while shoving the ball bucket into Taehyung’s hands, causing the catcher to let out an 'oomf' as it slams against his stomach harshly.
“I know it's not going to actually hit me but it's still scary.” Jimin whines as he walks to the other side of the batting cage.
Taehyung stands behind the net and waits for Jimin to get his helmet on and grab his bat. Looking over for Namjoon, he sees the older talking to a guy with black hair. Squinting, Taehyung can see the boy is tall, almost as tall as Namjoon, and he is wearing a tank top that shows off muscled arms.
Namjoon is pointing at several places and players on the field and Taehyung can see his mouth moving. As Namjoon turns to face the batting cages where he and Jimin are and Taehyung makes the mistake of making eye contact.
Namjoon smiles at him and waves, his mouth moving as he speaks to the newcomer again. Taehyung’s eyes widen as he realizes he's been caught staring and his body burns with embarrassment. Waving awkwardly back, Taehyung curses as the black haired guy turns around and stares right at Taehyung also.
Taehyung blushes as he takes in the features of the male. His black hair sticks to his forehead from sweat and hangs in his eyes messily but unfortunately Taehyung is unable to see his eyes because of the distance. His nose is straight, his lips are full, and the strong jawline that shows when he turns his head back to Namjoon makes Taehyung's mouth water.
Namjoon smirks as he talks and he has no doubt Namjoon is talking about him. The boy looks over at Taehyung every few minutes, but his face is a blank mask and Taehyung has no idea what Namjoon could be saying about him. Eventually the two men start to walk over towards Taehyung and he panics and turns toward Jimin to see if the other boy is watching this too.
Jimin is looking in Namjoons direction and seems to sense Taehyung looking at him in panic. Turning towards Tae and seeing the definitely panicked look on his face makes Jimin crack a smile and shrug, just resting his bat on his shoulder while he walks up to the fence that surrounds the batting cage.
Taehyung hurries to join him and they stand there and wait, watching the newcomer and Namjoon approach the other side of the chain link fencing. As they walk closer, pretty doe eyes that are framed by long lashes are revealed on the new boy and Taehyung's breath catches as him and the dark haired boy make eye contact. His eyes are big and full of an intensity that makes Taehyung want to curl into a ball and hide.
Taehyung leans against the fence when the two men saunter up and he recieves a look from Namjoon that says ‘be good’
“Taehyung, Jimin, I would like you to meet our new pitcher, Jeon Jeongguk. He’s a freshman and he came all the way from Busan to play with us.”
Taehyung mumbles out a hello while Jimin squeals excitedly, “Busan?? I’m from Busan too! I can already tell we’ll be good friends Jeonggukie” Jimin smiles his angelic smile and Namjoon looks starry eyed at the younger. Taehyung smirks at he watches Namjoons whipped ass and Jimin's oblivious ass continue to be obviously perfect for each other.
But Jimin's smile seems to have no affect on the newcomer as he just stares at Jimin and grunts in response, making Jimin immediately deflate. Because of the lack of response, Taehyung immediately hates this boy's attitude and he scowls at him in suspicion. The black haired boy seems not to care and he constantly looks around, not looking any of them in the eye.
Sensing awkwardness Namjoon quickly intervenes, “Jeongguk, Taehyung is our catcher and was our youngest until you came along. Since you guys will be working closely together you should become friends. Taehyungie is the best catcher I’ve ever seen and we’re lucky to have him”
Namjoon winks and Taehyung groans while blushing red from being complimented. Jeongguk turns from Namjoon to stare at the brown haired boy. It is the first time Jeongguk had seemed to take notice of him during the conversation and Taehyung fidgets under the close inspection of the younger. He manages to warble out a laugh and awkwardly runs a hand through his sweaty hair, trying to make the situation less tense by acting casual.
“Hi I’m the catcher for our team and I guess we’ll be practicing together a lot. The last pitcher we had was very specific on how he wanted things done so if you have any requests just tell me and we can work it out." Taehyung licks his chapped lips nervously as the younger doesn’t respond for a second and his eyes run down to the biceps on display, no doubt built up from years of pitching.
A voice speaks up and Taehyung’s eyes flash back up to the dark haired boy’s face only to see him smirking. A dark flush spreads across Taehyung’s face over the fact he had been caught checking out the younger. He quickly adverts his eyes from the younger, looking down to his feet to hide his embarrassment.
“I’m not very uptight or strict so you don’t have to worry about me working you to exhaustion but I do have my own system of what signals I like to use so we’ll need to figure that out." Jeongguk's voice is nice, it has a soothing ring to it and Taehyung is reminded of ice cream or cold drinks on a hot day. Gaining the courage to look at him again, Taehyung nods in understanding and smiles at the younger. He is about to suggest a time to meet and practice when the dark haired boy cuts him off and speaks again,
“For now you just need to catch my pitches and then I’ll see if this is where I’m going to stay. I’ve heard that you’re good, not just from Namjoon, many people talk about your skill. If you are as good as they say then I’ll stay, If not I’ll have to find another team.” Jeongguk smirks and leans in close toward Taehyung, one arm coming up to grip the fence just above both of their heads, "I don't let just anyone catch for me, Kim." Jeongguk whispers and then he is moving back to where he was before, a safe distance that won't make Taehyung's heart beat out of his chest.
Taehyung’s mouth drops open and his eyes widen when he processes the words. He sputters around a response but the other is cutting him off again, “Your team needs a strong pitcher after your last one graduated and not to be cocky but I could take this team to get first place in regionals. But whether I stay or go depends on you, be careful Kim Taehyung.”
Jeongguk promptly turns around and walks away, leaving Taehyung and Jimin both dumbfounded, a little angry, and definitely annoyed. Taehyung turns to Namjoon who is rubbing his temples and siging tiredly.
“Okay first of all what the fuck, second of all who does he think he is?” Taehyung clenches his teeth and kicks the fence, crossing his arms over his chest with a raised eyebrow when Namjoon shushes him.
Taehyung grips the fence so hard his knuckles turn white as he watches Jeongguk wander around their field with his stupid 'holier than thou' attitude and Namjoon sighs again, “I know his attitude is bad but he’s really good Taehyung. He’s been looking at several schools to play for and he would be a great addition to the team. I’ve seen him play. We need him.”
Taehyung groans and kicks the fence again. Jimin pats his back sympathetically.
“Please do whatever you can to make him stay, Taehyung.” Namjoon looks at him with hopeful eyes and Taehyung whines and stomps his foot.
“This sucks” he mumbles out before grabbing his helmet and bat and heading towards the dug out where Jeongguk is getting ready to leave.
Stomping over with a scowl on his face, Taehyung hopes the other can see that he's pissed and not someone to be messed with. As he approaches the black haired boy Taehyung takes deep breaths, preparing himself for what was no doubt about to be more bad attitude and cockiness.
“So when do you want to do this?” Taehyung asks, sighing in exasperation as Jeongguk completely ignores the older to pack up his bag.
Jeongguk doesn’t even look at Taehyung when he speaks and Taehyung wants to shove his stupid bag in the trash,“Tomorrow. 3pm. Don’t be late.” Jeongguk's voice is monotone as he speaks and Taehyung clenches his fists while he stares heatedly at the back of Jeongguk’s head, hoping the other will feel his gaze burning into his skull. He almost smiles when Jeongguk turns as he shrugs his backpack over his shoulder and raises an eyebrow.
Taehyung, while cussing out Namjoon in his mind, glares at the cocky shit in front of him. He swallows around a lump in his throat and crosses his arms in front of himself, standing up straighter and looking Jeongguk in the eye defiantly, “My last class end at 2:30 so I probably won’t be able to get here by 3” He sees Jeongguks face change and unconsciously he bites his lip and watches the younger carefully.
Just as he expected, Jeongguk snorts and rolls his eyes, “I guess you’ll have to hurry then”
Taehyung inhales sharply but says nothing as Jeongguk turns and promptly walks away. Watching the other leave without so much as an acknowledging wave makes the ball of contempt sit heavier in Taehyung’s stomach.
Returning to practice with sluggish steps, he shakes his head as Jimin smiles sympathetically and pats him on the back.