Archive of Our Own ^beta

Jeongguk didn’t want to be a teen wolf—much less a not-so-teen-anymore-  wolf going to college, not much different than he was back in all of his years of elementary and high school. Still an invisible loser with shining eyes and incredible strength, and well, not good at handling a full moon.

Although Jeongguk promised himself he wouldn’t let this part of himself ruin the rest of his life, he doesn’t like the thought of being the same Jeon Jeongguk he was in  school. He was always hiding behind his glasses, books and being considered a nerd, even if he had difficulties with certain subjects just like everyone else did. Back then, Jeongguk told himself things would be different after graduation—he would try to break out of his shell, try to get rid of the glasses and say goodbye to the fantasy books he loved so much.

However, Jeongguk’s life had other plans. Three days into his break, Jeongguk was walking home from the beach, it was near the woods and he felt a bite. A rogue wolf had bitten him.. After three days in the hospital  he was turning into a wolf because the full moon was glaring at the city. So, Jeongguk knew he had to hide even more. What would everyone think of him if they knew he was a wolf?

When senior year came, Jeongguk didn’t need his glasses anymore, but he was still shying away from everyone else so they wouldn’t find out his secret. He was aware of the existence of werewolves across their country, but they weren’t exactly known for being friendly towards outsiders and Jeongguk didn’t know where to start looking. Lone wolves were looked down upon, and since Jeongguk was probably bitten by a rogue one, he didn’t exactly belong in a pack.

The only person who knows is his mom back home. since she was the one helping him through the full moons, but hopefully, she will get rid of the thick chains and locks. He had  a few classmates who were always working with him on assignments, but they weren’t close enough friends to know about his private business—who the fuck would continue working with a dude who turns into a wolf randomly and is weirdly strong?

Shortly, there he is Jeongguk, sitting in his dorm's  bed after filling his drawers and small wardrobe with everything he brought with him from Busan. It’s not much, but it’s his little part of the shared room, and he sort of likes it. He hasn’t seen his other roommates yet, but the second year student who helped him out around the campus handed him  a paper with all of his classes, location of the classrooms and the names of his roommates. 

For a fair second, Jeongguk thinks that maybe he won’t have to keep himself hidden in the back of the room. Maybe he can handle this secret and still be one of those people filled with friends—who party away through their entire college life and live while they’re young. Then, Jeongguk remembers he doesn’t actually like parties and he’s poor. He cannot mess up in college and lose his scholarship; his mother has fought so hard to raise him on her own, and he doesn’t want to let her down. 

So, well, back to his hidden studious student self.

Jeongguk has a long road ahead of him, and classes haven’t even started.

The next day, Jeongguk wakes up to the sound of the door slamming loudly. 

It’s Saturday and the students are arriving and/or returning from their end of year vacation, so he should have known this would happen and set an alarm clock to go off early. Waking up scared is always a trigger for a few snarls here and there, and the last thing he wants is for his roommates to start spreading rumors about him right at the start of the school year.

He sits up in bed, rubbing his eyes and knowing his hair is sticking out in every possible way. What a great way to meet the people who will be living with him for the next few semesters — all messed up from the long night of sleep he had after carrying boxes up three flights of stairs last afternoon. The guy’s eyes fall on him, and he drops his backpack as if he has just seen a ghost.

“Oh, shit. Shit, sorry,” the guy says, his eyes widening a little. He’s tall, probably taller than Jeongguk himself, and his hair is trimmed into an almost buzz cut, but it still manages to fall over his forehead lightly. “Did I wake you up, dude? My bad. I had no idea anyone was going to have this bed this semester. Anyway, I figured this would happen sooner or later. I’m Namjoon, Kim Namjoon.”

“Hello,” Jeongguk murmurs, clearing his throat a little. It’s pointless since he was just sleeping, and the dude looks like he has just come from jogging—more alert than Jeongguk running around the woods when shifted. “I’m Jeongguk. Jeon Jeongguk. I’m your new roommate.”

“Sorry for disturbing your sleep, bro,” Namjoon says, picking up his backpack and throwing it over the bed in the middle of the room. He removes his shoes and comes back to grab a box from the outside. “If I knew there was someone else here already, I would have knocked or something. I just thought it was empty ‘cause our other roommate never locks the door. So, quick advice, if you know that he’ll have a late class and you have an early one, never leave your laptop on display. Some of the jocks like to play pranks on first-year students.”

That doesn’t sound good. Not good at all. Jeongguk blinks heavily, bringing his attention to Namjoon putting down the box. It looks heavy, but he doesn’t even sweat on it. Jeongguk has always been the one to take care of his things, never leaving them out of sight, or too visible when he’s not around. So he’s already a bit skeptical about this other roommate. But then Namjoon frowns, and turns his head back at Jeongguk once again, as if he’s a bit confused, and it snaps the younger out of his thoughts. 

“Wait,” Namjoon raises a brow. “You are a first-year student, right? And not some jock who had to shift dorms ‘cause you brought a one-night-stand into the campus and got caught by the dean? ‘Cause it has happened before.”

“Uh. Yes?” Jeongguk responds, but still a bit unsure of what is happening right now. He didn’t think this would be the first conversation he would have with one of his roommates. “I’m a first-year student—medicine veterinary. I got here yesterday.”

Namjoon nods lightly, rubbing his chin in thought. “Oh, cool. Cool. That’s nice. It’s good around here, you’ll like it. Lots of nice people, and the professors are good. If  you keep your chill and don’t let the weird jocks mess with you, you’ll be fine.” 

“Thanks for the tip.”

Jeongguk doesn’t know if he should be scared, so he just hops off the bed and grabs a shirt. He knows how those groups work from back in high school, but the University is much bigger and with more than just a few hundreds of students. So, Jeongguk thinks it’s best if he just goes on these years unnoticed and without getting into trouble.

“You seem like a nice guy, Jeongguk-ah, but we do have a few cohabitation rules that now apply to you. It’s just to not make our lives awful,” Namjoon continues, sitting on the edge of his bed. Jeongguk frowns, and he turns on his heels. “Basically, don’t be an asshole. No bringing people over to fuck without telling us—we do not want to see your naked ass. No snooping into the other’s stuff and business. We can be friends, but with boundaries. There are some more which are in written form, and I’ll send them over to you in the group chat we created, but they’re mostly for our other roommate because he’s awful at reading the room.”

Oh. Well . 

This other roommate sounds like trouble. Of course, Jeongguk doesn’t know if Namjoon is only being dramatic, or being completely honest about their situation.

“I’m pretty quiet, you won’t even notice I’m here,” Jeongguk reassures him, forcing out a small smile. “Don’t worry about the rules. I’ve got them covered.”

“Oh, Jeongguk-ah, these are your best years. You don’t have to waste them, you know?” Namjoon says, wiggling his eyebrows, but then he throws himself on his bed and stares at the ceiling. “What the fuck am I even saying? That’s the ultimate bullshit. But, anyway, you can give me your number later, so I’ll add you to our group chat. Do you have any plans tonight?”

“Tonight?”

“Yeah,” Namjoon hums, turning his eyes to look at Jeongguk putting on his shoes. 

“No, I don’t. Why?”

"Every year, our official lacrosse team has a scrimmage game with the SNU team before school starts. This year's event is scheduled for tonight, I have an extra ticket if you want to go. It's fun, and you can get to meet people around here,” Namjoon offers. “The dean gives a speech, welcomes new students and the old ones, then we get to see our stars of the team playing. The game season doesn’t start for another two months, but it’s a nice way to start the year.”

What does Jeongguk have to lose, anyway?

Jeongguk would only spend his night organizing his belongings and watching boring TV shows on Netflix. Maybe he would facetime his mother and let her know he’s okay, even if she was the one driving him from Busan to Seoul, and then come with him to the entry gates of the dorms. She’s probably missing him, as it’s always been just the two of them, and Jeongguk misses her as well. 

If he thinks about it, Jeongguk can easily call her before the game starts and then have some fun. He doesn’t understand anything about lacrosse, but might as well try to enjoy something in his life before gluing his head to his books for the next few years.

“What time does the game start?” Jeongguk asks, getting back on his feet after tying his shoelaces.

“It starts at seven-thirty, but the lacrosse field opens at six-thirty so that people can take their places. Interested?”

Jeongguk shrugs, “Yeah, sure. I’d love to.”

“Oh, great!” Namjoon exclaims. “We can meet near the bleachers around 7pm, then? I’ll be there with the tickets, and we can get in.”

The only thing he hopes is that he won't regret it.

Later in the morning, Jeongguk has breakfast in the cafeteria—which was still considerably empty, after all the students are still trickling in. Afterwards, he goes on a run to get his mind off things and relax a bit. He knows that he has a lot of energy in his body, and he needs to spend it somehow.

Seoul is not exactly on the beachfront like Busan is, but the park near the university helps a little, and at least he won’t get lost to the point where he needs to use his phone’s GPS to get back to his dorm. That place is going to be his home for the next few years, so Jeongguk has to familiarize himself and get used to what he’s going to see from then on. If all goes as he plans, once he finishes college, he’ll head back to Busan and open his own veterinary clinic  practice.

Jeongguk has always liked animals, and it’s ironic that he’s now part animal too. A wolf, no lees

At least now, he can control his transformations and doesn’t get out of control during full moon nights. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even have applied for college or left Busan. He doesn’t need a whole new mess in his life before it has been  two years since he was bitten by that damn wolf.

When he goes back to the dorm, Namjoon isn’t there anymore, but there is a third guy that Jeongguk hasn’t seen yet. He’s lying on the free bed, idly fiddling with his cell phone—Jeongguk believes he's too lucky to meet his roommates at the best times of his day; still asleep and covered in sweat after running for the last hour. Jeongguk is also bad with sarcasm.

“Hello...?” Jeongguk mumbles, draping a face towel over his shoulder and leaving his phone on the bed. His earbuds are still plugged in, but he pulls them out of his ears as soon as the stranger’s eyes meet his.

“Wassup’” he says, moving his eyes from his phone for a moment. “You must be Jeongguk, right? The new guy?”

Jeongguk nods. “I arrived yesterday during the afternoon.”

“Cool. I’m Hyunjin. You can call me hyung or whatever,” he says and then looks back at his phone. “You can make yourself comfortable there. Just pretend I'm not here. It’s your room too.”

Jeongguk blinks several times, feeling a bit confused by the situation. Namjoon wasn't wrong when he said that the other roommate was kind of difficult to deal with—in much better words, of course. Anyway, they'll just share a room and probably only see each other when they're about to sleep, so Jeongguk doesn't worry too much about it and decides to take a shower to get rid of the sweat.

It's his first day there and he doesn't want to jump to conclusions after a conversation so brief it shouldn’t even have been called a conversation. Maybe Hyunjin wasn't interested in talking either, and just wanted to focus on his noisy game. There’s more to discover from the university anyway. So Jeongguk just hums soft music as he heads towards the shared showers on that floor.

It would be a lie if Jeongguk said he didn't spend the afternoon researching how lacrosse works and even watching quick videos of plays. He wanted to know the bare minimum so he wouldn't feel like an idiot tonight with Namjoon and his friends. Jeongguk has never been much into sports, but he admits they are interesting to an extent—given that he's extremely competitive when it comes to anything.

In the end, before changing to meet Namjoon, Jeongguk is certain that he understood the theory and the whole scheme of how the game works and even its origins and will at least be able to identify which players are on the field. 

His call with his mom is a little short-lived, as she's on a short break from work, but it's enough to say he's fine and will be going to see a college game tonight. Jeongguk doesn't comment, but he can see that she's glad he's fitting in even just a little bit. It's more than what happened in high school, so he understands where she's coming from with this. 

The location Namjoon sends him is confusing, and Jeongguk ends up getting a little hung up on the directions. Luckily, he left the dorm early and studied the location map first—but he has no idea where to find his roommate among all those people. Eventually, Namjoon calls him for a minute until they manage to meet next to a tteokbokki cart. There are three other people with him, and Jeongguk slowly approaches.

“Hi, Namjoon-ssi,” Jeongguk murmurs, tucking his cell phone into his front pocket. “I hope I didn't make you wait too long.”

“Oh, relax, man. This place feels like a maze sometimes, and we all get lost, plus we have time until the game starts,” Namjoon replies, smirking. “Let me introduce the guys to you. Jungkook,  this is Yoongi hyung, Seokjin hyung and my boyfriend Hoseok.” He gestures to each of them in turn, introducing himself with a small nod when their name comes up.  “We don’t have the same majors, but we’ve always had a few classes in common since we started school. And guys, this is my new roommate that I mentioned, Jeongguk, he moved in yesterday.”

 Jeongguk offers a slight smile as his eyes flicker over them, the four of them are really different, and he wonders how they ended up becoming friends. However, the subject disappears from his mind as soon as they rush over to buy some snacks before getting to the bleachers.

Jeongguk is surprised that Namjoon is so open about his boyfriend in public. They’re holding hands and smiling at each other every now and then, and Seokjin and Yoongi aren’t even paying much attention to it, as if it’s the most casual of the things.

Namjoon’s tickets are for a nice viewing place, and Jeongguk ends up sitting between Seokjin and Yoongi. The Dean is still giving her speech as they're chewing on their good — something about all the good things coming their way and the new students starting their first semester on Monday. 

A few minutes before the game starts, both teams are on the field side by side with the national anthem playing. Jeongguk observes them attentively — their University’s players are wearing white and red, while the other team is dressed in blue — he doesn't know anyone there, so he’ll just cheer randomly for their team. There are screams taking over the bleachers once the anthem wraps up and the teams greet each other.

Jeongguk’s eyes can’t help but fall on one of the players from their team. He’s got wavy dark hair, a slim figure and looks just as tall as Jeongguk himself with his helmet under his arm — the wolf can't see much as he's a bit away from them. The player is a bit too serious  and has a dark blue armband wrapped around his right biceps; his earlier research tells him that it means he’s the captain. It’s because he's their captain and seems to be focused on the game; even if it's just a friendly one. Then, Jeongguk frowns at the sight of him chewing gum while speaking with their coach.

“Who’s that guy?” Jeongguk asks lowly, and then points towards him with his head. 

“Oh, that’s Kim Taehyung—” Yoongi starts, but his voice gets cut off until he raises his eyes to stare at Jeongguk. “He’s our star player and the captain of the team. We’ve never lost a competition with him leading the team. So, I’d say the title suits him, even if he’s too cocky sometimes.”

By the time Yoongi finishes, Taehyung focuses up at the bleachers as if he's searching for someone, and Jeongguk looks away like he just got caught. It’s a foolish move to do, as there are hundreds of people there and the captain would never find Jeongguk glaring at him as if his life depended on it, but he’s not going to take his chances. 

Jungkook knows  jocks have a way of discovering people talking about them behind their backs and turning them into targets. While Taehyung doesn’t look like a regular jock, he does seem a bit pretentious with his dark glazing eyes and stiff posture. So, it’s best if Jeongguk goes back to paying attention to the game in its entirety, other than just one player.

The game starts with the ball in midfield. Possession is with the home team, and Jeongguk's eyes are sharp as the referee blows the whistle and the first of four quarters begins. It seems a little exciting to be seeing something for the first time—and Jeongguk finds that his research has been effective, after all, he can understand the players who are on the defensive, in the attack, and in the midfield.

The captain is on the attack side, Jeongguk thinks for a moment, watching as he runs across the field with the ball towards the opposing team's goal. He hits a SNU player and the referee calls a penalty—thirty seconds off the field, and he puffs out of the white lines.

Something Jeongguk has always wondered is whether high school jocks really take the sport seriously, or if they're just there for the status it brings. He always saw them serious during the games, but being mean when they were off the field, and nothing ever happened to them because of the prestige they brought to the school with all the medals and trophies displayed right at the entrance to the building.

As for college ones, he has yet to find out.

As much as Jeongguk had told himself that he wasn't going to focus only on Taehyung—it's a little difficult when he is, in fact, the star of the team. He runs and dances across the field with lightness and mastery, always trying not to be penalized and guiding his other teammates. In the end, their team wins, even though it's a friendly match, and Taehyung greets the coach with a smile on his lips.

“He’s good,” Jeongguk mumbles to himself. ‘Good’ sounds so bland to describe such an interesting character from what Jeongguk has seen, but it’s the word he can wrap his head around. 

“Who? Kim Taehyung?” Seokjin asks, and the wolf didn’t even realize he was speaking it out loud. “If so, yes. He’s a cocky little shit, but he’s good. Really good when he puts his head around something.” he says, shrugging before he looks at Jeongguk. “We used to go to the same high school, and he was the star player back then as well, even if he was two or three classes under me, I knew who he was, we all did.” 

Seokjin smiles and looks back at the field, where Taehyung is standing tall, focused. “A bunch of universities were fighting for him because of it—the game is starting to grow here, and they need a face to represent it. Taehyung is obviously the best choice, but I don’t know how he got here.”

There’s a second of silence and Jeongguk notices Seokjin is following Taehyung’s moves, barely blinking. “Just don’t step on his toes and you’re fine.”

Jeongguk nods along in agreement, even though he knows nothing about Taehyung. Avoiding a lacrosse player who’s probably a few semesters ahead of him in college and has a sports life shouldn’t be that hard.

Easier said than done.

When Jeongguk got accepted into three different universities with his grades and the exam he took after finishing high school, his mother congratulated him and told him that life in university is interesting—regardless of the one he ends up choosing. 

He never doubted that that was true, his mother met his father during university and the two were together for some time, Jeongguk was born and their lives took on other paths. Now, times are a little different, but he's had thousands of movies from different countries, with different people and different themes to use as a guide. 

Different being the keyword.

Jeongguk is different. He’s a fucking wolf. He can shift back and forth from human to wolf, but he doesn’t think that he’d be one of the popular guys like it’s shown in the movies. Yeah, he’s not fit for that.

Everything seemed to be very intense, full of adventures and happenings. Even murders involved in a few different movies and shows. Jeongguk never planned to be involved in any of this—especially after he was bitten. He promised himself that he would keep his claws and fangs out of any and all human beings to avoid being responsible for making some other fucked up teenager's life change completely.

On the other hand, Jeongguk also knew that most of those stories were completely fictional. University is not going to be his best years, and it will not define how his life will be. However, he also knows that he is going to keep away from the lacrosse team and especially captain Kim Taehyung and his deadly eyes.

Jeongguk has always been a person full of schedules and plans—but sitting on the bench, waiting to try out for the lacrosse team on his third day of classes, wasn’t in his plans for any day in that semester. Or in any other semester ahead of him for that matter.

And this all started in a very random way, one that even Jeongguk himself still doesn't understand.

   Monday . 

It’s his first day of classes and Jeongguk wakes up too early, and it's obviously because he feels anxious about what is to come and cannot make himself stay still and sleep properly. He doesn’t have classes until after nine in the morning, and now it's not even seven yet. So, Jeongguk feels frustrated and can't fall back into a deep slumber, even though the blackout curtains are drawn and there isn't a shred of light coming into the room. 

Hyunjin is snoring on the other side of the room, cuddling his pillow with his socks almost off his feet, and the sound makes Jeongguk hyper aware of his surroundings. Namjoon's bed in the middle of the room is empty, as he informed them last night that he was going to sleep with his boyfriend across campus before classes started, and they were too busy studying to spend long hours together.

After rolling around on the mattress for a long ten minutes, that felt like they were much more, Jeongguk huffs and decides to get up, even though he is annoyed and wants to sleep for at least another hour. His body is aching, and he doesn't think that by continuing to lie down he will feel better. It’s natural that he is feeling a little restless, after all, today is the beginning of something new and all new things are a little scary, but he knows that he will be fine and that the university is a school with a little upgrade.

Jeongguk changes into comfortable clothes and running shoes, puts in his earbuds and his phone into his pocket. Better run for the next few minutes and get rid of that anxiety before school starts. He has at least an hour until he needs to shower, eat breakfast and run to the building where his first class will take place. So that’s what he does. Jeongguk runs.

The campus is emptier now, as most students must still be sleeping or getting dressed for their eight o'clock classes that are about to start. Last Sunday, Jeongguk found out where the running tracks are on the sports side of the University, and that’s where he ends up going immediately—it’s better than bumping into people and having to apologize every time. At least it’s inside the perimeters of the University, and he doesn't have to worry about rushing back to the cafeteria before it fills up completely, and having it run out of something to eat before class.

Twenty-seven minutes in, Jeongguk hears someone pssting continuously. He frowns, slowing down his steps. It’s a bit too strange.

There aren’t many people around there, mostly are on the bleachers, having sandwiches with friends and avoiding socializing with the rest of the students, some others are smoking and getting ready for the new semester of studies. Neither one of them seems to be paying attention to the newbie running around the tracks to cool down his thoughts. 

So, Jeongguk figures he must be hearing things because of the earbuds and continues running. The song isn’t too loud, so that must be the reason he thinks someone’s calling out for him. Also, it doesn’t even make sense—other than his roommates and Namjoon’s friends, nobody else knows him there.

“Hey! You! Runner !”

Right. Definitely not hearing things. Someone is calling out for him, and they don’t know who Jeongguk is.

Jeongguk stops completely, and removes his earbuds before turning around. He’s a bit tired, but could still go on for a few more minutes without being worn out, but the sweat gets in his eyes for a minute there. 

“You’re quite fast, huh?”

It’s the coach from the lacrosse team—Jeongguk remembers him from the game on Saturday. He’s quite the small guy, wearing a blue uniform, white shoes and a white headband pushing his black hair back. Jeongguk thinks he’s pretty young to be leading a university team, but he doesn’t judge—he only catches a glimpse of his name on his ID hanging in front of his chest, Lee Minho – Lacrosse team coach and professor. 

“Oh, hi,” Jeongguk says, putting the case of his earbuds in his shorts’ pocket. “Sorry, I couldn’t hear you properly. Can I help you with something, professor-nim?”

“Yes, you can,” Minho blurts out, as if he’s breathless from running after Jeongguk. “Wait here. Just stay here and don’t move, ok?”

This is confusing, Jeongguk thinks, watching as Coach Lee walks away from him, checking every now and then to make sure Jeongguk hasn’t disappeared from the running tracks. He ambles in quick steps, and suddenly he’s about three or four meters away from him with a green golf ball in hand, staring at Jeongguk as if he’s plotting something from their meeting. What would the lacrosse team coach want with him?

“Catch this,” he yells, and then throws the ball.

As a reflex, Jeongguk raises his right arm and catches the ball without making much effort. It's easy on his heightened wolf senses, but Coach has no idea there’s anything more to it than that amateur runner who broke into the university's sports side - and Jeongguk intends to keep it that way. However, without any hesitation, Coach Lee breaks into the biggest smile Jeongguk has ever seen in his life.

Not even his mother when he showed the three emails from three different universities was smiling the way the coach is at the moment. He runs back towards Jeongguk, pride in his eyes.

“You…” he trails off, before continuing his sentence, probably realizing he hadn't asked the student's name until now.

Raising an eyebrow, he adds, “My name is Jeongguk, Jeon Jeongguk.”

“Okay, Jeongguk-ssi,” Minho continues, leaning on the student's shoulder. He catches the ball back with his left hand and throws it in the air. “Have you ever played lacrosse before?”

“No…?” Jeongguk responds, but it seems more like a question. He's totally lost in what's going on there, at ten past eight in the morning, before he's even managed to eat a bite. However, he clears his throat and decides to recant. “No, I have never played lacrosse, sir.”

A brief sigh escapes Minho’s lips.

“Too bad,” he mutters, gripping the ball tightly. “You're fast and you have great reflexes. I saw how you dodged various obstacles without even thinking for a second. You would be a great addition to the team during this season, if not longer. We lost one of our best players last semester because he graduated, and on Wednesday the trials to be part of the team start. What do you think about signing up?”

“Coach—” Jeongguk starts, but is cut off by Minho speaking before he can even come up with a response of his own.

“Of course, you never having played could be a problem, but… you seem to have a natural talent. Must be a fast learner. You obviously have stamina from running,” Minho rambles, bringing his hand up to scratch his chin rapidly, and then he looks up to face Jeongguk again. “I will put your name on the list, Jeonghan. I expect you to be there on Wednesday.”

“It’s Jeongguk .”

“Yes, yes—of course.” Minho murmurs, patting his shoulder lightly. “Don’t disappoint me, Jeongguk. I will wait for you there.”

Shortly after the baffling encounter with the lacrosse team coach, Jeongguk heads back to his dorms with a huge puzzle lurking in his head. He has never been a sports type of person, and he most definitely doesn’t know what Lee Minho saw in him to stop him in the tracks and have him catch a golf ball midair. 

Jeongguk is not sure if signing up to be on the team will be a good idea—after all, he doesn’t know a thing about playing it. There are probably a bunch of other people there who are better than him, and that will be a good fit for the team in the long-run, so Jeongguk just brushes it off his mind after taking his shower.

He's sure that, by the end of the day, Coach Lee will have forgotten about his existence and by Wednesday he won't even remember that he invited a freshman to his team's auditions. There will be dozens of people there, and Jeongguk will be one in the crowd.

And what kind of recruiting calls for people who don't even know how to play the game?

Jeongguk couldn’t be more wrong on everything he came to a conclusion that morning.  Besides being a  complete idiot — in that one he was entirely right. Realization about it doesn't wait too long to happen, and it hits him straight in the guts the moment he walks into class.

Coach Lee is no one other than his Animal Biology 101 professor. 

It's the second class Jeongguk has that Monday before being allowed to go out for lunch. He curses under his breath, choosing a place at the back of the class, behind a guy who's taller and broader than him. However, something tells Jeongguk that it will be pointless.

He tries to shove his face into his Biology book, reading carefully through every and each word in front of him, along with listening to what the Coach— Professor has to say about his subject and what they will learn through the semester. Of course his attempts of hiding away don’t work; Professor Lee walks around the class, through each roll of seats, to take a good look into the faces of his new students.

By the time he reaches Jeongguk, a smile grows on his face, but he doesn't say anything directly to him.

“We have a lot to look forward to this year, guys,” Minho murmurs, turning on his heels to return to the front of the class. “I hope you are well-prepared and excited for it. I surely am. I’m not the type of teacher that will work to have my students fail my class— I want everyone to do well, but you’ll have to work for it, and we'll be here through all the process.”

The book falls back on the table and Jeongguk sighs. He is simply and completely fucked.

“Jeongguk, my man!” Coach Lee calls out, patting his shoulders after class ends, even though Jeongguk was silently trying to get away from that place. But now he does remember his name. “Such a coincidence, huh? I had no idea you were in my Biology class.”

He was so close. So close.

“Hey, Coach,” Jeongguk replies, forcing out a smile as he turns around to face him. It's awkward, so awkward and Jeongguk wants to run away as fast as he can. “Yeah— hmmm . We didn't get to talk much before.”

“It’s not a problem. I guess we will be seeing each other a lot from now on, huh?” Minho comments, chuckling a little with one eyebrow raised. “The Lacrosse jersey is waiting for you as well.”

Jeongguk nods absentmindedly at the comment, as he's not sure about what he should say back to him. Coach Lee is clearly excited about the possibility of having a new player like him on the team. 

But does Jeongguk even want to be on the team? Does he even look like a sports player?

Sure, Jeongguk knows he's changed over the past year, and that before that he wasn't even considered for any teams when they were splitting up for Physical Education. Jeongguk was slim, small and a little bit too skinny for his own good — he had good stamina since he was a kid, but nothing over the roof. Now, he's not even entirely aware of what he looks like, and should probably stop by the mirror in his dorms to catch a glimpse of it. 

The wolf gene quickly spread through him and Jeongguk couldn't catch up with it. He’s aware he's stronger, his hearing and vision are better, his reflexes quicker than ever and he's pretty much been able to outrun anything. But still, he doesn't feel like a prodigy or anything else. People in High school already knew him; the quiet guy at the back who didn't talk much and had high grades, and it wasn't hard to keep his reputation after he was bitten.

Now, there are people seeing him and getting to know him after Jeongguk was bitten. The Jeongguk without his big, dark hoodie, who would hide away from everyone else, and he's not sure about how to handle that. 

It feels strange .

The coach talks about different types of players — those who are born with the game in their blood, and others who aren’t and learn it through life. He definitely can see the nervousness in Jeongguk's eyes and is trying to calm him down; or probably just convince him to get on the team to milk him dry on his stamina and get good scores on the team. Jeongguk can't even deny he's a fast learner.

“Anyway, you’re probably hungry and late on your way to have breakfast,” Minho finally wraps up as he walks away, sitting back on the chair behind his desk. “I won’t take more of your time, but I do expect to see you on the field for the recruiting this Wednesday, okay?”

In a way, that conversation could have been worse. Conversation, read in a manner full of euphemisms , of course, after all it was more Coach Lee giving a big speech about lacrosse and how it works rather than Jeongguk participating in his daydream. He was more concerned about getting out of there and having lunch than what Lee Minho was saying.

Already in the cafeteria, Jeongguk is silently huffing as he waits his turn in line. He hates not being able to say no to people, and he also hates being extremely indecisive. What's the use of being a wolf, if he's still the same lost teenager as he has always been?! It’s the first day of University, and he's already feeling irritable.

If he could, Jeongguk would run through the nearest forest to clear his mind. In a way, being in his wolf form is like a stress reliever, centering him and making him forget the bad side of everything. Although he still has his human, rational mind when he runs in the woods as a wolf, there is great freedom that is brought along with having four legs.

Unfortunately, Jeongguk has another class in an hour. He better get something to eat and rest for a few minutes before he has to go back to his classroom building.

Jeongguk takes his food and runs his eyes over the free tables around, looking for a corner, so he can sit and eat in peace. He sees a raised hand, a few feet away from him, and recognizes it as Jung Hoseok — his roommate's boyfriend — who is waving at someone. Discreetly, Jeongguk looks around and behind himself, figuring that Hoseok must be talking to someone other than him, but the only thing there is the cafeteria lady and the wall filled with the week's menu. So he's sure Hoseok is calling out to him.

Still, Jeongguk points to his chest with a frown between his brows. Hoseok nods, nodding and indicating that he could sit with the rest of his group. It’s weird to be included after seeing them only once, seeing as Yoongi and Seokjin are at the table, and there's no sign of Namjoon around. There are two free seats, and Jeongguk sits next to Seokjin.

“Hey guys,” Jeongguk murmurs, setting his tray down on the table. “Is it really okay for me to sit around here?”

“Of course! Why wouldn't it be?” Hoseok comments, smiling softly. “Namjoon said you're new around here, so I guess you don't know anyone yet. Eating alone is boring and a bit awkward, and we have a free spot at the table, you are always welcome if you want.”

Jeongguk smiles, feeling touched by Hoseok's words. He even refrains from commenting that he’s used to eating alone — no one exactly needs to know about that, either.

“Namjoon forgot his wallet, in case you're wondering.” Seokjin adds with a teasing smile “He never wants to drink what we have here and always buys something from the vending machines,” Seokjin explains, guessing Jeongguk was wondering why Namjoon isn't with them. “He’s always doing this. You’ll get used to it in no time.”

There’s one thing Jeongguk has learned about Namjoon in the three days they got to know each other is that he’s quite endearing. No wonder his friends love him so much — also, they’re pretty welcoming. So, he just chuckles and focuses on starting to eat his lunch, listening to the other talk, maybe he’ll have time to take a small nap before heading back to class later.

Tuesday .

It's a day like any other and luckily, Jeongguk is no longer as anxious as he was the day before, so his morning starts off peacefully. This time it's Hyunjin who isn't in his bed, but already leaving for his first class, and Namjoon has his face in a book when Jeongguk comes back to change clothes after taking a quick shower.

Their routine seems like it will be easy to get used to. Hyunjin seems like a forgetful ghost (who always goes back to the dorm to get something he didn't pack when he was supposed to) and Namjoon is extremely friendly. So, as much as the first impressions were slightly troubled, Jeongguk believes that everything will work out.

Even though It's still the end of winter, the temperature is starting to warm up little by little, and it helps with Jeongguk's short walk to the library after having breakfast. His first class today is an elective subject in the literature building, which is adjacent to the north campus library. Jeongguk has some time until the class ends, so he decides to walk between the shelves and check if his ID card is already working to borrow some books.

He attempts to forget about Coach Lee and the whole thing about him making the lacrosse team.

Jeongguk has always been a very curious child, and now he’s  still an incredibly curious young adult. His student card is already working, and he decides to pick up something to read for the week. So, of course, he ends up getting hooked on the huge library, full of varieties of not only textbooks, but fiction. There is national and international literature everywhere, translated and in their original languages, and Jeongguk doesn't know where to start.

Finally, Jeongguk arrives at the romance section and stops for a moment. He’s never been a big fan of stories focused solely on romance, but there’s a certain beauty and comfort in love that Jeongguk can recognize, even if he’s never been the one to live that. It’s something fun to watch and experience, but Jeongguk didn't expect to find the captain of the lacrosse team there. 

No, he's not in the romance section—he's sitting at one of the corner tables, one of the most hidden ones around, and he’s alone. Unlike Saturday, he's wearing regular clothes and his team jacket draped over his shoulders. A book is open on the table, and he is writing tirelessly, his brow furrowed, and his lips pursed into a tight line, as if he’s both annoyed and nervous. It’s creepy to stare, Jeongguk knows it, but he can't help it. 

It’s forbidden to wear anything covering their heads in the library, so Taehyung’s cap is over the table, lying next to his books. There’s a mark of it on his fluffy hair, but Jeongguk figures that if he wanted to fix it, all he had to do was run his hands through his strands. He's a bit motionless for a moment, chewing on his bottom lip as he tries to focus on the pages— Taehyung is studying, but it doesn't seem to be going quite well.

Then, Taehyung suddenly raises his head and his eyes turn in Jeongguk's direction as if he realized that he was being watched for minutes by someone in that section.

Jeongguk and his clumsy behavior almost knocks the entire book shelf down. He sometimes doesn't have full control of his strength and this happens. He narrowly misses being caught by Taehyung staring at him and/or nearly dropping hundreds of books. All the captain of the lacrosse team sees is the image of a student holding a random book in the middle of the novel section aisle. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Jeongguk is no longer watching him, but trying to control the uncompensated breathing that came with the shock of Taehyung noticing him, staring at him while he studied. Obviously this is uncomfortable and the captain of the lacrosse team wouldn't like it.

“Hope you're enjoying the book, freshman,” someone says, making goosebumps run down on Jeongguk’s arms, and he looks up to see Taehyung beside him. He’s prettier up close. So beautiful. And he still has that damn gum in his mouth. “You don't seem like someone who would like that, but people are amazing, don't you think?”

“Erm…um…” Jeongguk almost stutters and Taehyung laughs softly, shaking his head. He has no idea what book he’s holding or what exactly the captain means by that question. “Yes?”

A smug smile takes over Taehyung’s lips, with a slight perk up on the right side and a tugged brow. There’s no way he’s not making fun of Jeongguk in his head. Of course, it is. He’s a jock, and he was caught studying by the hoobae who’s holding a book weirdly—Jeongguk looks down for a moment, catching a glimpse of the title ‘The CEO’s Pregnant Assistant’ and the subtitle mentioning it’s an erotic novel in front of the picture of a shirtless man.

  What the fuck?

That’s what jocks do. They bring out the weirdest and the worst in every single type of person. 

And Jeongguk had sworn to himself he’d stay away from Kim Taehyung.

Now he’s in front of him with a stupid book in his hands, making a fool out of himself. Not to mention that the coach of the same team he’s the captain is his biology professor, who’s dying to recruit Jeongguk. 

Go to university, they said, it will be fun, they said.

For Jeongguk, it’s been more of a ‘Go to University and live all of your worst nightmares all in two days.’  That one has been going great so far. In fact, this week hasn’t even started properly yet, and he has already been dreading it so far.

“If you wanted to look, all you had to do was ask,” Taehyung comments with a wink, pulling his backpack higher on his left shoulder. “I like all of my fans.”

Then, he simply smiles widely once again and turns on his heels, walking away from the library, Jeongguk, and his shirtless CEO book. 

It’s At that moment that Jeongguk decides he hates Taehyung and those beautiful shining eyes and warm smile of his. He’s cockier than what Jeongguk thought, and up close it’s not something he’d want to deal with—much less with all the gum chewing and winking. He’s definitely not going to the field on Wednesday.

So, Jeongguk grunts, putting back the book on the shelf and giving up on choosing anything to spend his late nights in his dorm while he doesn’t have to study restlessly for his exams. At least he’ll arrive early for his class and get to choose a seat. 

And Taehyung is in the same classroom as him. 

Of course he fucking is in the same classroom as him. The universe must be playing him, or Jeongguk has gotten the wrong number for his 8:20am class.

Jeongguk grabs the paper from his front pocket again and glances at the door, seeing the matching numbers and letters on both of them. Classroom 201B – The History of Korean Literature. He’s in the right place. It’s his first class that Tuesday morning, and it has Kim Taehyung as one of his classmates. 

Technically, Jeongguk could still avoid him until the end of the semester if their classroom wasn’t small and all of the chairs weren’t turned into a circle in the middle of it. Anywhere Jeongguk chooses to sit, he will still be forced to look at Taehyung eventually, so he hopes it’s just today and decides to take the chair next to a short-haired girl. 

Taehyung notices him almost immediately and smiles in Jeongguk’s direction as soon as he puts down his notebook. Great. This is just great for him. If he hadn’t given up on borrowing a book from the library, Jeongguk could hide himself behind it. 

Instead of freaking out about it, Jeongguk takes a deep breath with his eyes closed. He remembers everything he read online about being in touch with his inner self and his human rationality—it was for him to learn to control his wolf, but it can also be applied to this case. What is more infuriating than a cocky jock smiling his way after an awkward encounter? It’s pointless for Jeongguk to lose his mind over it, so he just decides to take a page out of his notebook and doodle over it. He has always been a good artist, and it calms him down.

There are a few more minutes until class starts, so Jeongguk doesn’t have to worry much about his surroundings and just lets his mind get into the black ink of the pencil rubbing over the white paper. He doesn’t have an exact idea of what he wants to portray, but his hands seem to be working freely over it.

“Hello, good morning, class,” a loud, echoing voice takes over the classroom and Jeongguk raises his eyes from the paper. There’s a man in comfortable clothes and a small bag walking into class, but he leaves it on a table in the corner after closing the door. “I’m Professor Jung Haein, and I’ll be your literature professor this semester. I can already see we have new faces around here—people coming from electives and others starting off university altogether.” He smiles looking at all the students faintly. “We’re always equal, so don’t worry much about being a freshman or a senior. We learn, and we live the same here, and in every class we sit in a circle, so we can get familiar with each other.”

Oh. Great again.

Jeongguk sighs, putting down his pen and looking at what he was drawing before the professor walked into class. He frowns, noticing it’s a bow and arrow with a symbol on it, but he doesn’t think he has seen it before. Jeongguk tilts his head, and realizes the professor is speaking again, so he brushes the thoughts off and shoves the paper into his backpack.

Now, Jeongguk is intrigued by his drawing, Kim Taehyung, and coach Lee.

It's just after 6pm and he's in the dorm's shared bathroom, taking a shower, staring at the wall as the hot water splashes over his shoulders. He doesn’t really think his drawing of three different moons together on a bow and arrow mean anything. However, he's still thinking about the embarrassment he went through with the lacrosse captain in the library, and with that, he remembers the coach's entire speech to try and convince him to join the team. It's a vicious circle that doesn't stop even when he returns to his room, still in his towel, and finds Namjoon, Hoseok, Yoongi and Seokjin talking around the small study table.

He locks the door , drying his hair with a hand towel.

“Oh, shit,” Namjoon hisses, putting the cards facing up on the table, and a growl from Seokjin echoes through the room. They are playing UNO, not talking like Jeongguk had first thought. “I forgot to tell you they were coming here.”

“Uh, no problem. It's your room too, hyung,” Jeongguk shrugs, walking towards the small wardrobe in front of his bed. “Don’t worry about it. You were about to win the game.”

One time, he shifted back to human in the woods. The police officers found him naked on the ground, thinking he was lost and homeless, ever since then, Jeongguk lost the shame of changing in front of other people. At least none of them have an annoying flashlight pointing at his naked body, and Jeongguk actually knows them. 

A shirt and shorts later, and Jeongguk is presentable to the world, and the uncomfortable feeling that everyone is trying so hard not to look back and see him changing disappears. He knows it always happens, even if people don't mean it.

“Want to play with us, Jeongguk? The match is over now,” Yoongi offers, pointing to the empty seat at the table.

He imagines that Hyunjin must join them sometimes. Also, it’s funny that a bunch of university students are playing UNO in the dorm instead of going out for the night, but Jeongguk doesn't criticize. After all, he was planning on watching TV shows until he got tired of his laptop screen and went to sleep.

It's Seokjin shuffling the cards as Jeongguk takes the free chair, between Hoseok and Yoongi. There are some bottles on the floor, and he thinks it must be some kind of alcoholic drink, which is prohibited on campus, but none of the students respect the rule. Students, particularly young adults, aren't exactly known for following strict rules.

They draw who will start and Jeongguk is in third place.

“Guys,” Jeongguk mutters, eyeing his deck carefully as Namjoon decides which card to put on top of the blue 3. He realizes that those four are the only people he knows so far and there are no better people to ask. “What do you think of the varsity lacrosse team?”

“They’re really good,” Yoongi mutters, trying to look over Namjoon's cards because he's taking too long on his turn. “They won on Saturday even without one of the main players. I thought that with Junghyun out, the game would be more tense, but Coach Lee and the Captain managed to handle everything very well, even with the moments of pressure and tension placed by SNU.”

“I personally don't know anything about lacrosse,” Seokjin says, shrugging, and Namjoon finally places a blue 7 on top of the 3. “I only go to games because you three idiots take me along. I just know that Taehyung is a great player because wherever we go, there are people showering him with compliments since high school.”

“I go because Namjoonie likes it,” Hoseok mutters, shrugging and placing a red 7 over his boyfriend's card quickly. “I understand a little. I know our team is good, but, I don’t know, I’m not exactly interested in it.”

Jeongguk’s eyes fall back on Namjoon. “Our team is amazing for a University's team. Some of the players could play professionally if they wanted to; mainly Kim Taehyung, of course, and a few more from the defense and the goalkeeper. The others don't take everything so seriously, but they're great at following orders.”

“Got it,” Jeongguk murmurs, returning his attention to the cards in his hand. There's a pile of yellow and red cards, so he puts the first red one he sees in front of him. “Coach Lee stopped me at the racetracks yesterday to try out for the team. I don't know if I should go.”

And their answers haven’t been exactly helpful.

“Wait,” Namjoon locks in place, practically stopping Seokjin from playing and causing all four of them to look at him. “Coach Lee stopped you and asked you to try out for the team? Coach Lee in the flesh? Are you sure about that?”

“Coach Lee Minho?” Jeongguk asks, frowning. “The same one who is also a professor in the biological sciences department? If so, it's him.”

“Holy fucking shit.”

Yoongi rolls his eyes, and Jeongguk isn’t sure how he should react to that comment from Namjoon. What the hell does ‘holy fucking shit’ mean in the middle of a silly conversation while playing UNO like that?

“Coach Lee—he’s like. Wow.” Namjoon lets out, and Seokjin shakes his head, finally taking his turn and putting a red 2. “He’s picky. He doesn’t let anyone get on the team easily. He hands picks every single one of his players. And he fucking chose you out of nowhere? Without you even being on a test to get on the team? What kind of mystic powers do you have to have caught his attention like that, Jeon Jeongguk?”

Jeongguk doesn’t know of any unknown mystical powers, he only knows of his half wolf side, but Namjoon's speech puts a smile on his lips, and he ends up winning that round of the game.

The cliché of not being like everyone else doesn't fit with Jeongguk.

He doesn't believe he's that different, he just takes more time than others to open up to people, and unfortunately, most young people his age don't have that much patience for those who aren't extroverts. It's interesting that Namjoon's friendship group are three introverts and one extrovert that they adopted together—in this case, Hoseok must have taken everyone else under his wing, and now they’re doing the same with Jeongguk.

However, this is not the point of this Wednesday morning.

It's early. Too early. Early to the point where the sun has just risen over the eastern horizon, and the birds are beginning to sing just now.

Wednesday’s morning main point is Jeongguk warming up before his jog. He woke up too early, even though he didn't have class until after lunch that day. All of his restlessness decided to show up first thing in the morning today, and Jeongguk knew that remaining trapped in the room wasn't going to help at all.

Namjoon and Hyunjin were still sleeping when he left. As much as he wants to stay in bed for a few more minutes, curling up until he has to drag himself out to eat and attend class, he can't get the tryout for the lacrosse team out of his mind. And it's kept him up most of the night. Not because Jeongguk wanted to do it, of course, it was larger forces that made him watch international Lacrosse videos, so he could learn a thing or two.

Later on, but more specifically at eight o'clock in the morning, Jeongguk is signing his name on the clipboard of students who are there for the team entrance test. He is student number fifteen to put his name there, and the Coach Assistant smiles at him and indicates where Jeongguk should sit—along with all the other boys who are sitting there in the bleachers with the same goal as him.

Purpose is an overstatement in Jeongguk's view, but that's basically what it's about. He probably won't pass, since he's in the middle of dozens of people who seem to be much more prepared than him.

The field is smaller than the one they played on Saturday. Jeongguk notes that it must be one of their training grounds. It's a little more intimate and close, and the stands are quite small—just enough for a few friends to watch the games next to the players on the bench. Jeongguk wipes his sweaty hands on his joggers and glances around the room, watching Coach Lee appear from the other side of the field with Kim Taehyung in hot pursuit.

The captain is wearing the official team shirt and sweatpants, his hair is messed up, and he doesn't look as serious as he did last morning. However, Jeongguk mutters under his breath and thinks to himself that he was too stupid to think that Kim Taehyung, the captain and star of the team, would not be present at the audition. He will be the future captain of whoever passes this test, so he obviously wants to know who is going to be the lucky (or completely unlucky) one added to his squad for the semester.

As he gets closer to all the students, Coach Lee blows his whistle. The noise echoes throughout the field, and Jeongguk feels his sensitive ears hurt a little. Due to the wolf gene, Jeongguk's hearing is much higher than that of ordinary humans, and noises like a whistle when they are too close hurt him.

“Good morning, boys,” Coach begins. “I hope everyone is excited about this test. We have two spots on the team and—” He takes Jiyeon’s clipboard. “Thirty participants. This is going to be fun. Y’all must know our Captain, Kim Taehyung. He’ll explain to you how this is gonna work today.”

Taehyung nods, taking a step forward to stare at the students in front of him.

“We’re not looking for people who are here to mess around. We’re looking for people who will take this seriously—play to win, and to honor our team. So, if you’re here just to be exempted from a few classes, feel free to walk away; we’re not interested in having you on our team,” Taehyung mumbles, and a small buzz arises in the bleachers. There’s people gossiping between each other, but Jeongguk doesn’t turn his head to look at them. “The test is simple. We’ll have you divided into different teams and have you play Lacrosse in shorter periods. You’re good, you get to be in the next phase. You’re bad—you’re cut off and can go back to class. It’s a team sport, but you’ll be evaluated individually by me, Coach Lee and Coach Ryu. I hope you had a nice breakfast, because we’ll be here for a while.”

Three people walk away, and Jeongguk raises one of his eyebrows with the silence that takes over the field.

Coach Ryu nods. “There’s a piece of paper glued under your seats. Those are the divisions of your teams. You’ll have to choose a captain and divide who will be on the attack, defense and who will be the goalkeeper. You have ten minutes for that, starting now.”

The whistle again, and Jeongguk feels like grunting. He takes a deep breath, quieting down his restless wolf as he reaches under his chair and grabs a piece of green paper. Jeongguk raises his head, trying to catch a glimpse of who will be on his team. A few other guys wave at him, and point out for them to have a small meeting by the other side of the bleach. Kim Taehyung hasn’t put his eyes on him yet, and Jeongguk is thankful for that—even if he knows it won’t last for much. 

There are eight other people on his team and Jeongguk has never seen them before in his life, but they all look like new students like him. It’s a bit overwhelming, but he’s good at following orders and working in a group. They separate their roles quickly, and Jeongguk ends up on the attack by the end of the ten minutes. He goes over all the rules and moves he has learned through the night, and goes back to his seat so that their chosen Captains will go through the lucky draw to know who will play first.

They’re divided into three different teams, and each will play against each other once, but they have to settle on the order. The Captain for Jeongguk’s team is a guy who’s taller than him and seems to be experienced in Lacrosse, so he was the easy pick for everyone in there, but he’s not exactly lucky, and the greens are the first ones on the field against the yellow team. 

The Assistant Coach will be the referee, Coach Lee and Taehyung are going to be acting as guides for the teams, as if they’re their actual coaches, and Jeongguk takes a deep breath, choosing a spot for him to stay before the start of the game. He already knows the game will be a complete mess. They’re not familiar with each other and haven’t even gotten a chance to train before getting on the field to play. So Jeongguk focuses on the idea of being evaluated on their skills individually, even if he’s not exactly 100% of joining the Lacrosse team yet.

Yet being the keyword of the phrase. 

Jeongguk is a competitive person. He has always been. He’s driven by adrenaline. And it rushes through his veins by the time Coach Ryu blows the whistle and all of them are running into their made up uniforms and protective gear. A big blank takes place in his mind and Jeongguk acts on automatic. He dodges two, three, four players on the opposite team who look like yellow blurs, and then suddenly he has the ball, and he's running towards the goal.

It's exhilarating, but he fails, and the other team gets the ball. Jeongguk scoffs, slowing his steps down and looking to his right side, seeing Taehyung's piercing eyes glued on him as if he's trying to make some sense into the existence of Jeon Jeongguk on that field. He looks away from Taehyung's face (he doesn't know what to do with himself since he lost the ball and the star player of the team looks like he's judging him deeply, so Jeongguk looks elsewhere) and focuses back at the field in an attempt to catch up with the rest of the game.

He's not fast enough, apparently. 

The other teams score, and they all look like they're celebrating, making Jeongguk gulp. It’s just a test, and not what will define the rest of his University life. But Jeongguk has just discovered he likes being out in the field, holding the stick and running after the ball. He blinks swiftly, and just feels the red eyes taking over for one faint second before he dives back into the conflict.

It's funny that Jeongguk spent the last few days telling himself that he wasn't going to take this seriously, but here he is trying to be the main player on the field. He throws himself into the rhythm of lacrosse and scores two, three points on goal until Coach Ryu blows the whistle again, marking the end of that game. He stops, removing his helmet and taking a deep breath, trying to get his breath back in a few seconds.

Now, it's the yellow team's turn against the blue team, so Jeongguk's team can rest for the next thirty minutes; joining the break time with the new game time. So, Jeongguk leaves his things on the bleachers and goes to the table full of water bottles, he chooses a very cold one and takes long sips.

“You’re an interesting person, Jeon Jeongguk,” Taehyung's voice sounds right next to him, and Jeongguk swallows, putting the bottle down as he focuses on his face. He has his arms crossed, fingers tapping lightly against his biceps, and Jeongguk guesses he must have seen his name on the clipboard and the number on his shirt matching the number on the paper. “Went in to audition to get close to me, hmm? No other fan has ever done this for me before.”

“The world doesn't revolve around you, Kim Taehyung-ssi,” Jeongguk says. He doesn't have any control of his tongue in that energetic moment, but he doesn't decide to call it out now – even if it means he’ll make an enemy of a jock. “I didn't know who you were until two days ago.”

Taehyung huffs, shaking his head. He clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth, taking a step closer to Jeongguk.

“Don’t you think hoobaes should have a little more respect for their sunbaes?” he asks, raising an eyebrow, and Jeongguk can feel his heavy breath against his skin. “You’re a freshman, as far as I know.”

“I think you’re annoying, Kim Taehyung-ssi. A cocky and annoying person,” Jeongguk lets out, closing out the bottle and staring at the Captain’s smug posture. “But I’m just a freshman, what do I know? So, now, if you excuse me.”

Jeongguk shrugs, and walks past him as he realizes what he has just done. He doesn’t think he will have the same courage in him ever again—and he has just made an enemy out of Kim Taehyung. He knows he did by the chortle he hears behind him. 

Jeongguk and ten other students pass to take part in the second phase of the Lacrosse team test.  

He should be excited by it, but all he can see is Taehyung’s glaring at him from the other side of the bleachers while Coach Lee explains how the next part will work. It’s pretty different from the other one, and this one will focus on their stamina, and how much they can handle their bodies thoroughly through a heavy set of exercises. By the time they’re done, both Coaches and Kim Taehyung will choose two names to be added to the team, and three others to be on the waiting list in case of failure.

Failure does sound nice right now. 

However, Jeongguk knows it will be an easy pass for him. He’s not even pushing himself to his limits during all the sets the Coach has them doing. Jeongguk can run for hours without getting cramps, only wearing himself out a bit, that with a little food will have him back in his tracks. So, it’s no wonder he’s one of the names that it’s chosen to get on the team. 

He should be happy. He really should. 

But it also means having Kim Taehyung as his Captain, and Jeongguk isn’t exactly sure of how that will play out in the future.

It won’t work out. 

It definitely won’t work out, and Jeongguk becomes well aware of that once their first training day ends on the following Monday. 

Jeongguk and the other new player (Kim Mingyu, or something like that) are introduced to the rest of the team. The Coaches get through their strategies for the new season, hand out their new uniforms, and then they’re running across the field to warm up before practice. Jeongguk can feel Taehyung’s heavy stare hovering over him throughout the entire two hours and half they’re on the field—it’s annoying and distracting. 

But it’s not exactly at that moment, Jeongguk figures out that it will be difficult to work in peace with Taehyung. It’s right after practice, once everyone else has headed to the locker rooms and the Coach has asked them to stay back, even if they’re drenched in sweat and begging for a warm shower before calling it a day. 

At first, Jeongguk isn’t skeptical about the reason why he was called by the Coach; he’s new on the team and, of course, Coach Lee must have some sort of feedback to give him after seeing him on the field today. He’s far from the perfect player and still has a lot to learn, nothing will be too much help in his case.

“You two must be familiar with each other by now,” Coach Lee starts, sitting on an uncomfortable chair behind the small table with a bunch of water bottles. Jeongguk glances at Taehyung on the other side of the table, and he doesn’t seem to have reacted to the comment. He’s as static as he was before, with his helmet under his arm as always. “I have a task for you, Taehyung-ah, a very important task that I wouldn’t dare to trust anyone else other than you.”

“Of course, Coach,” Taehyung replies, nodding slightly. Now, he seems to be determined and the frown on his forehead is gone, but Jeongguk still doesn’t know what his role in that conversation is. “Whatever you need.”

“I have reasons to believe our new player will be a strong key point for us to win the national championship this year. We need someone like Jeongguk-ssi in our team if we want to continue to thrive,” Coach Lee explains, looking from Taehyung to Jeongguk a couple of times. “The problem is that Jeongguk here has never played Lacrosse before. He’s good, he’s a natural, but he doesn’t have experience. Your job here is to make him the best player we’ve ever seen in the shortest time possible.”

Taehyung stands there in silence, but he perks his eyes up to meet Jeongguk’s gaze. He doesn’t know Kim Taehyung that well yet, but he’s sure that the look on his face isn’t a happy one. There’s regret and rage there, but not a single hint of happiness in there.

“I’ve taken a step ahead of the two of you and asked the head of your departments for your daily schedule until the end of the semester,” he continues, not bothering to care about the staring contest happening between Jeongguk and Taehyung. Honestly, he doesn’t even seem to have noticed it happening. “You two have a few overlapping windows between classes on Monday, Thursday and Friday, and I’m sure you can use the time to come to the field and practice together. The indoor field is also available for most of those days, and you can talk to Jiyeon-ah if you have any questions about it.”

Coach Lee stops himself for a moment and clears his throat, gathering a few folders into his hands before getting back on his feet. “Well, I hope you both enjoy your work as a team. I’m most certainly looking forward to what will happen in the future.”

A lot of arguments and annoyances throughout all the time they’ll be together, alone, in the field, trying to practice, Jeongguk is sure of it. But Taehyung doesn’t say anything, just nods, watching their Coach walk away in silence without looking back at them.

“Look here, rookie ,” Taehyung starts, moving a little too close to Jeongguk, to the point where he can feel his breath against his face as he hears the thump of his stick hitting the grass. “I don't know what you did to Coach to make him like you that much, to the point of choosing someone who doesn’t have a single fucking clue of what they’re doing, “Taehyung says glarying at him, looking ready to desintegrate him with his eyes only.  “But I'm not happy with  this choice at all. Unfortunately, I have to work with what we have. He has the last say, and I’m the Captain, I have to follow his words and so do you now. So I expect you every day in this field at six in the morning without any excuses. I don’t care if you’re tired, I don’t care if you have a test, I don’t care if you want to sleep for five more seconds. I won't let you ruin my team, let alone my reputation, understood ?”

If Taehyung’s purpose was to make Jeongguk feel intimidated, he fails miserably at that. Of course, there’s a certain aura over him—the type of smugness and the certainty of being the best in his field. A certainty that makes him stand out, but Jeongguk’s irritation towards him seems to speak louder than anything those piercing dark eyes and serious-looking eyebrows would have say

“You think too highly of yourself, Taehyung-ssi,” Jeongguk comments, squinting slightly as he removes the elbow protectors from his arms. “If the Coach chose me to be here today, there’s a reason for that. So you don’t have to be an asshole who’s afraid of having your little reputation shaken up because of me. I’ll be here every day, and I’ll train as hard as everyone else on this field—not because I have something to prove to you, but because I know I will be good.”

Taehyung looks at him with surprise in his eyes, but instead of answering Jeongguk in the same tone, he smirks. It’s a fucking annoying smirk, and Jeongguk feels like snarling at him, showing off his red eyes out of stupid teenager-y anger towards someone who hasn’t (actually) done anything against him. And Jeongguk isn’t even a teenager anymore.

“Aren’t you a presumptuous little thing, hm? I was fine being colleagues, but I can see you’re not open to that,” Taehyung tsks, shaking his head. “You’re not taking my name as the star of the team, Jeongguk-ah. Not even if you want to. You’ll never be on my level. But let’s see if you’re as good as you say you can be.”

Jeongguk isn’t little . He’s also not presumptuous, either. 

He’s just an idiot who can’t control his words—and who won’t think before saying anything. So, it’s only fair that Jeongguk is cussing at himself by the time Taehyung turns on his heels, directing himself to the locker room. Taehyung is not interested in their passive-aggressive discussion, apparently, and Jeongguk is fighting by himself on that one. Jeongguk thinks about telling Taehyung to fuck off once he sees him again, because he clearly isn’t taking him seriously, but then decides he’d rather die than let Taehyung know that he has gotten on his nerves with the avoidance of their argument. 

 So he sighs, pushes his sweaty hair back with his hands and starts walking to the lockers. As he gets there, still angry, he takes off his jersey and hops into the shower. The hot water doesn’t soothe his frayed nerves at all, so he tries the cold one. It definitely wasn’t a good idea to get into the team, and Jeongguk is being entirely sure of that now.

It is, obviously, nothing new that the practice involving the two of them alone together on the field is, in a certain way, complicated.

Taehyung is a difficult person to deal with, and Jeongguk's wolf is easily angered. In fact, the captain has an ego the size of a skyscraper and Jeongguk also hates petty people, so none of that helps with the situation of the two of them working together on the same team. Between internal grunts and Jeongguk wanting to let his wolf take over, they try to practice properly, so he will be ready for their next game.

Every day, at six o'clock in the morning sharp, the two are in the field. It's as if there was an unspoken feud between the two that whoever was late would be blamed for the team’s failure in the next game—and also to point to the other’s face that he was late. Jeongguk was never that kind of person, but apparently, Kim Taehyung is the catalyst for everything that causes Jeongguk to lose his mind easily. 

Surprisingly, Taehyung is a good teacher when he’s not being a smug asshole. He’s focused and centered about the game and their team, even if they’re up at ass o’clock. It bothers Jeongguk a bit more to know that—because it means that he’s choosing to be a jerk jock whenever they’re not alone in the field. 

Of course, Jeongguk decides to look the other way for the sake of their team, but that doesn't stop them from almost attacking each other throughout their regular practice. Taehyung is the star of the team, he’s a great player, and he knows it, but it seems like he's afraid of losing that status at any and every moment, and it gets a little confusing for Jeongguk as time goes on. He’s not interested in stealing Taehyung’s spotlight, but the Captain hasn’t seemed to have understood that yet, since he’s decided to make Jeongguk’s life a living hell.

Jeongguk’s mornings become the workout session of an Olympic athlete in addition to their practices. They’re running across the field together, warming up and working on their muscles, so their performance will get better, so Jeongguk goes back to his dormitory all sore and tired, even if it’s still too early for him to be feeling like that. And something tells Jeongguk that Taehyung is also pushing himself—there’s something there about him always being the best that might weigh on him from time to time.

They go over strategies, work with different approaches and study their main opponents on the field. Taehyung is focused on gluing everything into Jeongguk’s mind until their next game, it doesn’t matter if they’re both worn out and destroyed by the end of the day. It’s Lacrosse that matters, and that thought brings a frown to Jeongguk’s forehead.

It's not until a month and a half after their first training session, that they get to have a face-off on the field. Or rather, a confrontation in a lacrosse game and not something like a fistfight in front of all of the other players. There's a qualifying game on Saturday, and they've been practicing longer hours of the day, and that Tuesday afternoon the coach scheduled an all-team game.

Generally, the game is reserves against the official team, but in that match the coach decides to mix everything up a little. Jeongguk still doesn't know if he’ll start, but he ends up captaining the red team, and that makes Taehyung frown as the two are deciding who will pick the side of the field and who will keep the ball. Kim Taehyung stares at him through his eyelashes, watching the odd win and Jeongguk choosing the side of the field over the ball.

There's a certain tension in the air, and Jeongguk blinks slightly, looking between his eyes as he stares at the mole Taehyung has under one eye. The coach is saying something to the two, but he doesn't really listen and decides to just keep watching the team captain's clean face. They've been closer than that before, but Jeongguk had never stopped to notice how much better looking Taehyung is up close— he’s got long lashes, full lips and a few moles around his face. He’s annoyingly handsome, and that makes Jeongguk snort at himself, disliking it very much that he’s acting up on a pretty guy right now. 

Jeongguk has known he’s not straight for a couple of years now, but did he have to start noticing someone in his team right now? And that someone had to be the fucking Captain who’s a pain in the ass?

So, Jeongguk rolls his eyes, putting his helmet on as soon as the coach authorizes them to take their marks. He’s an idiot, and should brush off those thoughts before they become something else.

When the whistle blows, he can only see Taehyung's blue jersey from where he stands on the field, and even through his helmet, the gaze coming from him is a little too serious and intense. Jeongguk swallows down dryly, thinking that this practice game will be anything but easy, but he's ready to face it. 

Taehyung starts running towards him with purpose, the white stripes of the Lacrosse team uniform catching in the sun and making his features shine for the crowd and for him—yes, they've got a few friends on the bleachers watching the game today, as if it wasn't hard enough without them. In that second, Jeongguk thinks about what it would feel like to have Taehyung pressed against him, warm, heavy skin on sweaty skin and that smug smile on top of him.

He snaps out of his imagination, and goes back to the task at hand when someone screams out his name, jumping into action when Taehyung gets too close to pass by him with the ball to reach their goal, but Jeongguk doesn't allow it. He and two other players block his passage, and Jeongguk bites his tongue, telling himself that he's an idiot. There's no other answer than being a complete gay mess and an idiot. What the fuck is he doing, daydreaming about his stupid Captain in the middle of a game?

Taehyung tries another way around their circle, which isn't exactly an improvement, but it's something nonetheless, and the three of them start moving together again. They're working on their defense, but it seems like Taehyung's a little too eager to take Jeongguk out of his comfort zone and have him attack to get the ball from his stick. It's unfair, as he's more experienced in games, but Jeongguk won't have that and moves into action, throwing himself in the game finally. 

The whole situation feels a little silly, but Jeongguk ends up hitting Taehyung with his shoulders, and they fall to the grass, almost on each other. There's a cuss coming from the Captain's mouth, and Coach Assistant Ryu scores a penalty over Jeongguk - he's out for an entire minute. The wolf takes the time to take a deep breath and chug a bit of water, trying to clear his head and focus completely on the game. 

They are doing well. Both teams are.

The game is balanced, and all players are getting tense about it. Right next to him, Jeongguk can see Coach Ryu making notes in a notebook and some drawings on the white sheets—Jeongguk figures they must be played for them to practice before the next game, but he can't see everything properly.

When the one minute is up, Jeongguk runs back onto the field and takes his post. Being without a player for any length of time is difficult for a team, and Jeongguk tries to catch up with all of his teammates. There is no set strategy for the game, they are just checking how hard everyone is training, and Jeongguk can feel Coach Lee's heavy eyes on all of them during the four periods of the game.

At the end of it all, Coach Lee calls all the players to a small meeting in the locker room. Everyone is still sweaty and tired from running so much. But coach goes over the opponent's game strategies they will face on Saturday. In training the next day, they will play against each other again, but the teams will take turns making their strategies and the opposing team's to know what will be the best approach to win with a big difference in the scoreboard.

“You're going to be our element of surprise, Jeongguk-ah,” Coach Lee says after the meeting is over, patting him on the shoulder. “You are the fastest player on our team. You and Taehyung, working together with the rest of the team, we will win easily.”

Across the narrow, locker-lined hallway, Jeongguk can see Taehyung’s strong gaze on him—it's obvious the team captain heard what the coach said and is feeling threatened by Jeongguk’s presence and how much he’s being praised by other teammates and their own Coach. So Jeongguk isn't sure if this will work like their Coach is saying.

The very next day, Jeongguk discovers that Coach Lee will find a way for Jeongguk and Taehyung to work together, regardless of whether one of the parties is not very happy with this new reality they are trapped in. After all, Coach Lee wouldn't dream of leaving one of the two on the bench, and he makes that very clear in the scolding he gives the two after training.

It was supposed to be a friendly—strategic game. No one on the field is each other's enemy during the game, despite the fact that they have been placed as the captains of opposing teams. So, it doesn't make sense for Jeongguk and Taehyung to be practically snarling at each other midway through the first half of the match over the most foolish things in the world.

However, it is not the small, misunderstanding glaring looks and grunts that take Coach Lee to his maximum level of irritation, to the point of almost causing the two to be suspended from the next training session. It all starts with a wrong pass by Jeongguk, which ends up leaving one of the players on Taehyung's team out for thirty seconds due to a penalty.

“Fuck, Jeongguk,” Taehyung mutters, waiting for the whistle to continue the game. “Be careful where you're going with the fucking ball. You can’t be penalized all the time.”

Jeongguk rolls his eyes. “It happens, man. Relax.”

“Relax?! Relax, Jeongguk? Fuck you, that’s the kind of mistake that gets you penalized, rookie, ” Taehyung insists, adjusting his posture to better face him, even through their helmets, and Jeongguk feels like growling. “I don't want a member of my team penalized because they were with their heads stuck in their fucking asses. Pay more attention to the game.”

“Break it off, you two,” Coach Ryu grumbles, standing by their side and blowing the whistle, so they’ll go back to the game.

Still huffing, Taehyung shakes his head and sets his eyes on the ball. It's not even worth trying to force an argument during the game, Jeongguk does the same and continues the training match they're having that afternoon. It's early, and they have time to perfect all the moves, so Jeongguk isn't entirely worried about what will happen on Saturday.

However, it looks like Taehyung has other plans.

The game, which was fair and rhythmic before, becomes a little more aggressive when he slams into Jeongguk, making both of them fall to the ground. From the outside, it looks like it was just an accident, but it's clear that Jeongguk doesn't see it that way and almost loses his temper—however, he knows that if it were anyone else, it would be a different story. Apparently Jeongguk's wolf enjoyed teasing Kim Taehyung and making Jeongguk lose his mind in the middle of it all.

Jeongguk is sure his eyes flashed red for a moment during the two of them rolling around in the grass after the friction. It's a rather ridiculous scene, in the most comical way possible, mainly because it takes the other members of the college team to make the two get off each other and. If not for the protective gears, the two would have ended up with a few punches to the face.

There goes Jeongguk's idea of having a smooth passage through university. And it's all the fault of an idiot jock who pisses him off with very little effort. 

There's nothing to say that Coach Lee is wrong in his scolding, but Jeongguk didn't expect it to happen so soon after his arrival on the team. He's also not used to being told off this way—not from a lacrosse team coach in an empty locker room with the team captain right beside him.

“I knew there was some stupid tension between the two of you, you know?” Coach Lee says, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “I imagined it was a young person with a fragile ego. I know what it's like to be that age and talented. I know what it's like to be afraid of losing your status and the idea of starting something new in life. It is scary. And I thought that was just the shit here and that all it needed was some time for you to figure it out, but from the scene of you two outside I already understand that the situation is much more complicated and much sillier than I thought it was.”

“Coach…” Taehyung tries to start talking, but Lee Minho cuts him off by raising one of his hands.

“Those punches said enough, Kim Taehyung. This is not a conversation, much less an argument. Then you can save all the words you have to say that I don't want to hear,” Coach Lee says. It's a much rougher tone than before. “I don’t want this kind of behavior on my team during training and even less during official matches. That was disrespectful to me, the other teammates, and both of you. I don't care what the fuck happened between you two, just fix it, so I don't have to worry about anything but the game on Saturday. I don't care who's right and who's wrong. Just fix this shit and don't go out on the field anymore. Fight outside the University where I cannot see if you need to. Within that field, you are teammates and work together.”

There's a moment of silence, and Jeongguk bites the inside of his cheek. He is naturally a quiet person and doesn't know where that feisty Jeongguk who rolled in the grass with Kim Taehyung came from. He doesn’t like that Jeon Jeongguk very much.

“Tomorrow the two of you will be on the bench,” he continues, seeing Taehyung gasping, ready to protest that decision, but Coach Lee doesn’t allow him to. “And there's no point in saying anything. I do not want to know. You’ll be on the bench tomorrow and cleaning the locker room and uniforms until the end of the week. If this shit continues, it will be until the end of the semester.”

The coach then walks away, leaving both of them behind him. His footsteps echo through the silent hall, and Jeongguk's shoulders droop forward. He didn't want this to happen. He didn't want to get benched, much less have Taehyung get benched with him. It's the first time Jeongguk actually cares enough about something to feel bad about losing it — and bringing someone with him.

But it's not his fault only. Taehyung is just as guilty as he is.  He’s the Captain of the Lacrosse team, shouldn’t he take care of the newbies instead of feeling intimidated by them? And yet, Taehyung decided to be an asshole with him from the beginning. Jeongguk understands they had a system there before his arrival, but things are changing and Taehyung should believe in his own team's abilities and focus on winning, and not come up with the idea that Jeongguk is trying to challenge him for his title  of star player. Unfortunately, it's what happens quite often, even after the Coach's harsh words towards them, Taehyung's eyes are gleaming, glaring at Jeongguk from head to toe while he's carrying the basket to the laundry room. 

Jeongguk sighs. He has never been the one for team work, and he knows that it won't get better soon—maybe when Taehyung stops having such an annoying (ly handsome) face. Until then, they’ll just put up with each other for the good of their team.

Saturday arrives faster than Jeongguk imagined, and he is looking forward to it.

It's his official competitive gaming debut, and he's a little scared of what's going to happen next.

As expected, he is scheduled for the official squad along with nine other players, including Taehyung. They've already warmed up and had a look at the crowd in the stands, and it was enough to send Jeongguk butterflies in his stomach. Officially his uniform has his name and the number nine on the back, and no longer a blank space, which makes everything much more real.

“Don’t fuck this up,” Taehyung whispers to him right before they walk back to the field.

Jeongguk takes that as some sort of threat, but holds back the annoyed growl he was ready to direct towards Taehyung. Instead, he focuses on the game and on the objective they have that night.

And their team wins.

It’s not an easy win. They fight hard, eyes burning on the field and sweating until the very last minute of the party. The other players are well-prepared and must have studied their moves just like they did through the week, but Jeongguk and Mingyu as additions to their team have done a good job of keeping them on track. 

The win isn’t by a wide difference on the scoreboard, but it’s still a win and they’ll take it. 

There’s a rush of adrenaline running through Jeongguk’s veins as it’s his debut game and they’ve won. He scored a few points to guarantee that win, so he feels like his duty was fulfilled and he can finally start calling himself a true lacrosse player.  

“Good job, Jeongguk-ah,” the Coach says, patting him on his back as soon as the game is over. Jeongguk smiles weirdly at him between drinking water and finally trying to breathe normally. “That was a good start. You have a future here. You should celebrate with the others.”

Minho doesn't dwell on his words. He knows the boys on the team must want to say hello to friends, family, and boyfriends who must be in the stands, so he goes over to Ryu Jiyeon to talk about how the entire game went.

Between the players, there is nothing very technical to be talked about. Everyone is celebrating, surrounded by their friends and other players who have stayed as substitutes. Jeongguk is still ecstatic about everything that happened and takes a deep breath, feeling the water gradually cooling his body. Due to his wolf side, he feels heat very easily despite his very high stamina.

“You sure know how to play, rookie,” Taehyung comments, clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Who knows, maybe one day he will take over my captaincy when I graduate?”

The tucked brows and hair pulled back by a backwards black cap don’t let Jeongguk be quite sure if Taehyung is being sincere or just sarcastic. It’s a little hard to read Taehyung's expressions, in fact he's always either very serious or appearing to be mad at everyone around him for not being as good as him. 

In all cases, it always feels like Taehyung is trying to get under his skin other than actually complimenting him, which is funny because Taehyung seems to be nice to everyone else besides Jeongguk since they’ve first laid eyes on each other. Or, in other words, no one can blame Jeongguk for being suspicious of a compliment coming from Kim Taehyung after all the history that the two have together. 

“Is this one of your backhanded comments in which you’ll end up coming back here as a ghost to haunt me even after you’re done with school?” Jeongguk asks, removing his elbow protectors as he sees Taehyung rolling his eyes. “It’s all you do to me.”

“I’m calling a truce tonight, Jeongguk-ah. We’ve won,” Taehyung comments, smirking a little as his voice turns to a provocative tone. “Tomorrow, maybe, I can haunt you in your dreams.”

Jeongguk lets out an unamused noise but he’s forcing out a smile. At least, he’s not demonstrating how flustered he’s feeling right now. He won’t even get started with dreams. 

 If he were any less careful about keeping his face cool, he might have let his mouth drop at what Taehyung said to him out of his still teenager-y weakness when it comes to beautiful men talking about showing up in his dreams. As it was, he just nods his head. “Sure. Whatever makes you feel better, Kim Taehyung.”

Taehyung’s smirk is still present on his features, but his gaze doesn’t linger too long before he looks away from Jeongguk, taking a couple steps forward and stopping to look around their surroundings, eyes roaming over the scenery. Jeongguk follows his line of sight, noticing that he’s not actually focusing on anything, but only attempting to get closer and then have their eyes glued on each other.

By the time Jeongguk looks back at him, Taehyung is close. Too close. There’s not even a way of Jeongguk walking backwards to run away from his ruin—there’s the coach’s stupid table there. He doesn’t even know why Coach Lee keeps it there. It’s only an object that can be used to trap Jeongguk under Taehyung’s heavy presence. 

Honestly, Jeongguk doesn’t even feel intimidated. He’s feeling more like his horny teenager self right now. 

“There’s a party happening outside campus,” Taehyung murmurs and the fake gum chewing is back. Jeongguk wants to punch his face, his very stupid and handsome face. “We’re celebrating the win. You’re part of the team, so you’re welcome to come.”

If it was any other day, any other circumstances, Jeongguk would’ve said no. He has never been invited to a party like that before, so he doesn’t even know what to there – drink? Kiss strangers? Pretend to be someone he’s not?

It’s easy to play Lacrosse. He doesn’t have to talk much. He doesn’t have to pretend he’s an extrovert. But Taehyung takes another step forward with that cheesy smile of his, and all of Jeongguk’s inner demons crawl out from their hiding place to take hold of him. 

You’re such an idiot Jeongguk , he tells himself, without uttering a single word. But it’s quite obvious his lashes are trembling and he’s fighting back the desire to stare at Taehyung’s lips. There’s a mole right there, under them, and another one on the tip of his nose and Jeongguk could say he was looking at it with curiosity—No. Jeongguk, no. So, yes, Jeongguk stops himself and gazes into his eyes.

It’s not helpful. Not helpful at all. Jeongguk swallows thickly, trying hard to remember how to breathe properly in spite of the overwhelming urge to just grab his backpack from the locker room and run away from both the University and Seoul. He’d go back to Busan to hide in the woods where Kim Taehyung can’t find him. 

Instead, he tries his best to ignore the fact that his chest constricts every single second he’s being this close to Taehyung. Also, he tries to tell himself it’s just hatred there and not something else that has also been making someplace else twitch. 

Yeah. Everything is fine. Of course. Jeongguk couldn’t be finer.

“I’ll think about it,” he finally says, seeing Taehyung’s smile curving a little more, and he can see the tip of his teeth. He looks cute, and not like the devilish person he is.

Apparently, Taehyung takes that as a win. Jeongguk takes that as the beginning of his doom.

Sometimes, Jeongguk believes that being a teenager who only lived cooped up at home left him without knowing much about life as it is. This includes mostly knowing how youthful party’s work. Of course, he has already seen several in teen movies and series, but nothing that is on a screen is a real and faithful representation of everything that happens in real life.

Parties are a lot more sweltering than they appear in the movies.

Jeongguk feels like he has his giant eyes wide open, scanning everything around him as he tries not to look so lost and disoriented to be there. Some of the team members greet him, congratulating him on the points scored during the match, but this doesn’t last long and soon they are back to paying attention to everyone else around. He’s a bit overwhelmed.

The reality is that Jeongguk doesn't have any friends on the team, exactly, and the friends he's made in the short time he's been at the university prefer to stay in the dorm playing UNO, eating pizza and drinking soju smuggled into the university. And Jeongguk is just like them.

Someone hands Jeongguk a bottle, shouting the name of their university and soon the person disappears. He frowns, sniffing the open bottle and is sure it's an alcoholic drink, but Jeongguk decides not to think too much and takes a long drink, feeling the liquid burn his throat slightly. If all goes well, Jeongguk sticks around for an hour tops and then joins Hoseok, Namjoon, Seokjin, and Yoongi in endless UNO games until they start arguing with each other and threatening to set the cards on fire.

He blinks a few times, licking his lips and still tasting the alcohol on his tongue. It's a little uncomfortable, but he figures he'll get used to it over time. However, something else takes his attention, which is the image of Taehyung sitting on a couch with a beer in hand and another guy with his feet resting on his thigh. Jeongguk raises an eyebrow, and is instantly caught staring.

“Oh you!” the guy with Taehyung speaks, causing the captain to turn his face in the direction he was pointing. Even sitting down, Jeongguk can see that he is a little shorter than Taehyung. “You’re Jeongguk, aren’t you? The new recruit on the lacrosse team? Come here, dude! Sit here with us, I’ve heard so much about you and I’ve never even seen you. It’s nice to finally put a face to a name.”

“Ah, I don’t want to bother you…” Jeongguk mutters, scratching the back of his head. “I’m just going to get some air out there.”

“Seriously, Jeongguk-ssi,” he says, shaking his head and jumping off the couch quickly, coming towards him only to take his arm. “Bother what? This party is more boring than my cousin’s fifteenth birthday party, and the only people present were my family and my grandmother’s chess friends. So, you know, pretty much boring. I’m Jimin, by the way, Park Jimin. I’m Taehyung’s best friend.”

Jeongguk notices how he’s really talkative and different from Taehyung, who, speaking of which, has his burning gaze hovering over Jeongguk ever since Jimin has brought him to sit between them. He’s not exactly comfortable there either, so he won’t blame Taehyung for that one. 

“So, Jeongguk,” Jimin says, putting his cup down, “Taehyung tells me you’re a freshman here, right?”

“Yeah—hum. I just got in there,” Jeongguk mumbles, taking a sip of his soju. Taehyung has been talking about him. Interesting. “I’m studying to be a veterinarian in the future.”

Jimin hums thoughtfully. “That’s really nice. I have a friend who’s in the field, too. But I’m majoring in Physical Education, with a minor in dance. Not really a fan of the playing part of the profession, though. I don’t think I’d be good. I leave all the sports to my friend here.”

“Sure.” Taehyung smiles softly, but seems to be interested in scrolling down his phone for a moment there. He can’t get more annoying than that. 

It doesn’t even ask Jeongguk to put in some more effort to dislike him. It comes out naturally. At least, Jimin is trying to be friendly towards someone who was there for the win on the team—and he’s not even part of their Lacrosse department. Maybe it’s a signal that Taehyung really hates his guts and wants nothing to do with him.

“Oh, Taehyungie told me that you hadn’t played lacrosse before getting on the team,” Jimin continues, seemingly excited about it. “Your performance in today's game was impressive for a debut. I couldn’t even tell you hadn’t played professionally before. You’re a natural, Jeongguk. There’s effort there, but not everyone gets this good with just a couple of months of practice. I think Taehyung here has finally found someone who’s on his level, huh?”

“Jimin.” Taehyung grunts. It’s low, but Jeongguk can easily hear it through the loud music. He doesn’t do a good job hiding his protest away and Jeongguk takes another good chug of his soju. He can’t go through that evening completely sober.

“What? It’s the truth! You’re just being a little bitch because you think your reign will be over,” Jimin points out as he gets back on his feet, grabbing his beer while Taehyung rolls his eyes. “Anyway, Taemin is calling me outside. I’ll be right back—don’t murder each other with your eyes while I’m away.”

Sure, Jimin also noticed the weird tension between the two of them. It’s not even like Jeongguk is trying. He’s not glaring back at Taehyung, and he hasn’t even said a word towards him.  If anything, Jeongguk is uncomfortable at that party and would rather very much be in his bed, watching a boring TV show on iQIYI. But no, he had to give in to his stupid young adult desires and come to the first party of his life. He’s definitely regretting it.

“So, you talk about me to other people,” Jeongguk mumbles. There’s a little bit of alcohol in his conscience, so he will blame it on the alcohol and not on his curiosity to know what Taehyung has been telling other people. “Cool.”

“It’s Jimin,” Taehyung answers in a grumble, but Jeongguk can see how his lashes flutter with the comment.  He’s awkward. Ha. “It’s fine. He’s my best friend. Don’t you talk about me to your friends?”

Jeongguk reacts immediately. “No. Not really.”

Taehyung raises his head, and their eyes meet. They’re staring at each other and, for the first time, there’s no burning flames in them. It’s more curiosity and surprise other than pure deep hatred.

 “Okay. Why?”

There’s a pause. The music is too loud. People are talking around him, but he doesn’t mind. No one cares if he speaks or not. 

“What would I say about you?” Jeongguk frowns. 

The words slip out of his mouth, and he doesn't notice how harsh they sound until Taehyung's expression shapes itself into an offended one. The question hangs in the air like an accusation before fading back into silence. 

“Sorry,” he says quickly, noticing the awkwardness of the situation. 

The silence hangs over them and it feels heavy and cold, and not even the loud pop song playing in the background seems to put an end to the awful situation Jeongguk put them in. He wishes Taehyung would speak up again but he doesn’t, he just continues staring at Jeongguk with unreadable eyes and pursed lips. 

Why does he have to ruin everything? 

They weren’t even being disrespectful towards each other for once.

So Jeongguk speaks instead. “I’m just gonna go. Yeah. Hum. I’m gonna go.”

The words are out of his mouth before he can stop them. He turns on his heel and walks off without looking back, leaving Taehyung behind, alone, silent and with a scowl in the place of his usual smug smile.  

He runs out of the house with his soju bottle in hand. Jeongguk takes a deep breath, and sits on the stairs, chugging on the alcohol while a few people next to him are smoking in groups. Before he can start blaming himself, Jeongguk frowns and stares at the clear sky—what would he even tell his new friends about Kim Taehyung?

The four of them already know he’s an awesome player and that no one can ever come close to him. He’s the star of their team; unmatched and powerful in his own way. There are a lot of people who would die to have him, and some others that would do the same to be him. He’s handsome, he’s good at sports. The perfect jock who’s not an asshole towards people (people who aren’t Jeongguk perse). There’s nothing new. There’s nothing to tell.

Well, nothing not considering Jeongguk’s shameful redacted feelings that have been happening for the past few weeks, but those are going to die with him. He’s not telling anyone that. Definitely not. So, Taehyung doesn’t even like him, why would he be offended that Jeongguk doesn’t talk about him?

It doesn’t make any sense. 

However, Jeongguk has learned that Taehyung doesn’t make sense quite often. So, he shouldn’t be surprised. 

When Jeongguk gets back in the house, he’s in his second empty soju bottle and feeling a bit tipsy even with his wolf gene acting up. He’s not used to drinking around, and much less something as strong as soju, so it’s only fair he’s looking for something to eat and not get completely wasted. There’s no one to bring him back to his dorms, and he doesn’t want to bother Namjoon. 

Someone tells him where the bathroom is, but Jeongguk doesn’t understand much of it. The songs seem to be louder than before and he thinks he sees Hyunjin somewhere in a corner while he walks into the other rooms of the house. 

Then, Jeongguk stumbles into someone in what it seems to be a bedroom. He blinks a few times and raises his head, getting ready to apologize when he notices it’s Taehyung, and he’s holding both of his wrists to hold them up. Jeongguk’s stronger than he realizes, and it comes out easily whenever he’s startled. 

“Are you drunk?” Taehyung asks, cocking one of his eyebrows as he lets go of Jeongguk’s arms. Either way, Jeongguk accepts the water bottle Taehyung throws his way—it’s better than anything they’d have as food in this party.

Jeongguk huffs. “No.”

How did he end up in a bedroom, and why is Taehyung everywhere in that house? 

“Cool,” he says, sitting on the edge of the bed. Taehyung looks around, drumming his fingers against the mattress.

There’s something different about him. Maybe it’s because they’re alone in that bedroom and the door is closed behind Jeongguk. The lights there are better in this room, so Jeongguk notices how his hair falls nicely over his forehead, with a few curls forming there. He’s wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans with white shoes, still observing the rest of the bedroom which Jeongguk has no idea who it belongs to. 

The wall next to the closet seems to be an antique, with an elaborate carving along the surface. Jeongguk doesn’t know why he notices it, but it’s better than continuing analyzing Taehyung’s outfit for the day. 

As the water cools down his thoughts, Jeongguk takes a deep breath and notices the open door on the other side of the bedroom. He figures it’s a bathroom, and rushes there to empty his bladder after the two bottles of soju and one of water. Taehyung doesn’t seem to notice his absence, so Jeongguk just shakes his head and focuses on washing his hands by the time he’s done. 

A loud sound echoes behind him, and Jeongguk looks up, seeing how it’s the bathroom door that was closed with Taehyung and him inside the room. He frowns, turning around to catch Taehyung’s breathing a little too close to him. He doesn’t seem to be mad, much less enraged by Jeongguk’s lack of communicative skills just a few minutes back. 

“You…” Taehyung starts, taking a step forward and Jeongguk’s lower back touches the sink. “You’re annoying, Jeongguk. You’re so… so annoying.”

“You’re not a flower yourself, Taehyung-ssi,” Jeongguk responds, squinting a little as Taehyung gets closer and goosebumps run down his back. “But why are we exchanging compliments right now?”

And here it comes, Taehyung’s cornered smug smile coming back to life. Jeongguk blinks a couple of times, and he feels the captain’s hand on his waist, pulling himself closer until his lips are touching Jeongguk’s ear. He just hopes Taehyung can’t see how he’s closing his eyes right now, enjoying a bit too much of the suddenness of that moment. 

 “What do you think?” Taehyung whispers, deep voice sounding low and Jeongguk has to bite his bottom lip so he won't mumble anything embarrassing. “Why do you think I'm here, Jeongguk?”

Jeongguk licks between his lips, and he turns his head to catch the look in Taehyung's eyes. They're still dark and filled with an unreadable expression, but the smile is gone and it feels like he's holding something back. He's holding himself back. So, Jeongguk's fingers clench over Taehyung's arm, fingernails digging in slightly onto the fabric of his shirt, he doesn't try to pull away, and can still feel Taehyung's hot breath against his skin.

“You want me,” Jeongguk breathes out. “You want to kiss me.”

Although Jeongguk doesn’t know if it’s the alcohol speaking for him, but it’s not hard to decipher, even if Taehyung tries his best to be a movie tsundere — the intention is still there, visible and Jeongguk can feel it in his hand and how his nose rubs over his cheek, dangerously close to his mouth. His shirt moves up a little and the cold porcelain of the sink meets his warm skin, letting out a muffled sound from Jeongguk's throat.

It takes everything in him not to push his face further, to get closer because it's also obvious that Jeongguk wants to kiss him, maybe even more than what Taehyung is showing right now. Instead, he pulls away just enough to look at Taehyung and see his reaction after the cockiness in his voice when mentioning that the captain wants him — Taehyung’s eyebrows are high on his forehead, his lips parted a bit.

For the first time in Jeongguk's life, he feels a bit proud of himself for flustering someone like that. He doesn't think he has ever seen desire in someone's eyes like that — turned to him, because of him. It’s all Jeongguk there, and no one else. So, it's only fair he's wearing a smile that disappears by the time Taehyung wraps his hands around his waist and kisses him. 

Taehyung’s lips are soft and his tongue strokes softly against Jeongguk's lower lip, who holds himself against the sink, but keeping both hands on Taehyung's hips to bring him closer. He takes a deep breath and allows himself to dive into the kiss, tasting beer, smoke and mint gum on Taehyung's tongue, and it’s so much better than Jeongguk had expected it to be. For a moment, he forgot about the entire situation, and let himself forget about the fact that they could possibly get caught in that stupid bathroom of a stranger's house in the middle of their Lacrosse team party.

The feeling of Taehyung's lips sliding against his own, his palms moving everywhere until they land on his ass, squeezing it harshly to the point of almost having Jeongguk getting on the tip of his toes is enough for everything around them to vanish. Jeongguk's heart beats fast and he’s surely groaning against Taehyung’s mouth; the bathroom feels a little too hot and small for them, but neither one of them wants to stop.

 Taehyung's fingers tighten around his back as well and Jeongguk finds himself thinking that maybe his goal is to take him apart and ruin him, but he doesn't give in easily — he's not going to give Taehyung the pleasure of moaning out his name when they're supposed to hate each other. Not even when he sits over the sink and pulls Taehyung closer with his legs, he notices himself getting hard under all that grinding and Taehyung's hand playing with the buttons of his jeans while they’re kissing.

This is something Jeongguk has never done before. Taehyung isn’t a stranger, but just a few minutes before they were bickering and now they’re bringing Jeongguk’s weirdest dreams into life in a bathroom. And then Taehyung's hands move higher and suddenly he pushes Jeongguk’s pants down a little, his thumb brushing against his hip bones with a bit of a struggle from the position Jeongguk seated over the sink.

When Taehyung’s right hand touches his clothed thigh, Jeongguk lets out a yelp, and Taehyung halts for a moment, not liking the sound of that startelement in Jeongguk’s voice. They’re not kissing anymore, and the Captain pulls away. He looks up at him from underneath his eyelashes, licking his bottom lip as if he wants to continue tasting Jeongguk. 

 Jeongguk stares back at him, breathing heavily, eyes wide. The lights are shining brightly and Taehyung is standing right in front of him and he looks beautiful, breathtaking even, with a faint blush on his cheeks and those lips. He's not even crazy to say something stupid, so he just places both hands on Taehyung’s nape and pulls him back into a kiss.

The next thing Jeongguk knows, his hand is sliding down Taehyung’s much looser pants and they’re getting each other off between a couple of messy kisses and inconstant gasps. It’s not much different from jerking himself off alone, but he can’t see anything other than Taehyung’s bright eyes and the door behind him because of the dimmed lights.  There’s a sudden pressure inside Jeongguk’s thigh when Taehyung slides two fingers down his length slowly, and then comes back to the fast pace they were going for before.

His head falls against Taehyung’s shoulder, and Jeongguk is too caught in the haze of the hot friction to notice how much he's been holding back his moans from slipping out of his lips. His eyes are closed and he takes a deep breath, trying his best to not give in to his desire of getting on his knees right now and wrapping his lips around Taehyung's cock that he has been feeling for the last few minutes.

It’s such a dirty thought, but Jeongguk doesn’t focus on it, he turns his attention back to how good he feels and how he wants Taehyung to feel the same. He bites the skin of Taehyung’s neck and sucks harshly, and when he hears a quiet moan, it’s enough for him to almost come into the captain’s soft palm. Jeongguk couldn’t even tell how much of an asshole Taehyung is if they were only fucking on the daily, and not facing each other on the field.

Their relationship is much better like this— there’s no talking, no lacrosse and no ego involved. It's just the two of them in a badly lit bathroom with their heavy breath filling the room, even with the loud muffled songs from the outside coming in. Jeongguk can feel Taehyung’s cock pulsing and throbbing in his hand, but it’s a low moan that sounds a lot like his name that makes Jeongguk come hard and fast, eyebrows furrowed and all. 

 Taehyung's own dick throbs in response and Jeongguk isn't quite sure of what triggered that, but it could have been the whined moan he lets out. He feels himself shudder involuntarily and bites down harshly on the inside of his cheeks to keep himself quiet as Taehyung continues to milk him dry. Jeongguk’s underwear is ruined, but he doesn’t even care. 

It’s an intense feeling and one that has Jeongguk gripping onto the back of Taehyung’s head to pull it closer. His own hands are trembling, knuckles white where he grips Taehyung's neck. Jeongguk's fingers work faster on Taehyung's cock, and Jeongguk is not certain of how much strength and effort he's been putting into it after reaching his climax or what Taehyung has been mumbling next to his ear, but it feels like he’s close. 

 Jeongguk’s stomach lurches and his mouth tastes sour—but Taehyung's moaning keeps him going until he comes in his underwear and someone knocks on the door. The sound breaks them out of their bubble and Jeongguk's eyes get wide while his hand is still on Taehyung's dick. It’s weird, but he's too focused on how Taehyung's hand covers his mouth so he won't utter a sound to whoever's outside.

“What the fuck do you want?” Taehyung growls, glistening eyes glued on Jeongguk’s, a bit of a desperate look on his face. 

It's too obvious in Taehyung's voice that he was just getting a very sudden handjob and came from it, but Jeongguk figures that the person on the other side of the door won't notice it. 

“Are you coming out or what?”  Someone shouts from the outside, and Jeongguk feels like he knows that voice. “There are other people who want to use the restroom.”

“Tell them to fuck off,” Taehyung yells back, and Jeongguk frowns. “I’m busy .”

Taehyung’s tone isn't hostile, but there’s no real emotion to it either, which makes his voice even more chilling than usual when talking. There’s a chortle from outside, and then the person yells have fun. It’s obvious that they know what Taehyung was doing in that bathroom.

He looks up at Taehyung again — realization of what they have just done reaching up to his brain as he removes his hand from Taehyung’s underwear. Jeongguk winces and buttons up his pants, listening to the sound of shuffling and then a door snapping in the bedroom outside. The person has gone away, but they’re still trapped in that bathroom and it’s quite clear that someone else will stop by anytime soon. 

“I—” Jeongguk stammers, hopping off the sink. His lips turn into a thin line, and the foolish nervousness comes back to bite him in the ass. “I think I gotta go.”

Then, Jeongguk simply walks away from the bathroom, not even listening to Taehyung calling out his name in confusion. He doesn’t think the captain comes after him, but he also doesn’t try to look over his shoulders to check it out. The last thing he needs is to make this complicated, but Jeongguk can’t help feeling it’s exactly what he did by running away from Taehyung without further explanation.

What has Jeongguk just done?

Sometimes it feels like Jeongguk’s life lately has been a pile up of bad decisions. 

He’s young and it’s not customary for young people not to have good decisions as their forte, but Jeongguk needs to be extremely more careful when compared to everyone else. Any slip or comfort, he runs the risk of having his wolf identity revealed and this can become somewhat problematic for himself — who would want to have a fucking werewolf as their classmate?

However, Jeongguk doesn’t think a handjob with the star lacrosse team falls into that same category. It’s a questionable decision for him, after all, Jeongguk feels like the idiot nerd from any coming of age movie who ends up having sex with the jock who doesn’t care about anything and anyone and will move on to the next person in a blink of an eye. They will see each other again on Monday and Jeongguk still doesn't know how not to make it awkward for him.

For him — yes singularly. It will be awkward for Jeongguk. Taehyung has probably done this a lot of other times and won’t even care. So, it’s only fair for Jeongguk to be overthinking about everything once Sunday arrives and he hasn’t slept very much since tucking himself under his blankets in his dormitory. He doesn’t think he was able to bat an eye that night. 

So, speaking of bad decisions, Jeongguk groans as he rolls over in bed. It's very early and he hasn't been able to sleep at all - the sun isn't even up yet. There's only him in the dorm (Namjoon must be with Hoseok and Hyunjin probably spent the night at the party) and no one will notice him leaving. He checks the time on his phone and sees that it’s a little past 5am. There’s a right possibility that no one is outside now, and those who are probably are too wasted and drunk to care about someone else wandering through the streets.

Jeongguk quickly changes clothes, grabbing a light backpack to store his phone and sneakers and he closes the dorm door behind him. He knows the college security guards will grumble at seeing students walking around during the dawn, but he’s not the only one doing it, so Jeongguk puts on his headphones and keeps walking until he’s off campus.

When Jeongguk was choosing a college to enroll in, he took into account the surroundings of the buildings and how likely he was to be caught turning into a wolf in the middle of the city. That is, this one was chosen precisely because it was close to the mountainous area of Seoul and he would be able to hide in case he did not control himself during the full moon — something that did not happen during the last two full moons, so he’s quite sure it won’t happen, but Jeongguk would rather be safe than sorry. 

It’s exactly where Jeongguk walks to. He chooses a bush to hide his backpack with his clothes, phone and sneakers and takes advantage of the dark forest to close his eyes and let his body work on shifting into a wolf. After months, it's a process that is no longer painful and Jeongguk manages to do it in the blink of an eye. In the beginning, it was difficult and extremely tiring. He felt the pain of all his bones breaking, cracking and changing places in his body, today he still notices everything that happens, but it is no longer a big problem.

As soon as he was bitten and turned into a wolf for the first time, Jeongguk went to search the internet for werewolf communities and came to the conclusion that the pain was coming from his own brain that did not accept what was happening to him. From the moment Jeongguk left the place of denial and started to accept his new reality, the pain disappeared and he started to have fun in his wolf form. It happened to another bunch of them, especially those who don’t have a pack and don’t know who their sire was.

It’s refreshing and comfortable to run through the trees, climb a mountain in a few minutes and not even feel tired after hours of running. This is reflected somewhat in his human form, so much so that he is now extremely fast and has more stamina than he had years ago, but there is no comparison to when his white and gray fur wolf has his paws in the grass and smells the green nature around him. 

 The wind on his face feels good after being stuck in his dormitory dealing with all of his overthinking. It's still winter, but it feels warm enough under his coat and Jeongguk would spend the rest of his days there if he could, but life would be too lonely as a rogue, lone wolf without a pack. So Jeongguk does everything else in his nature to make this moment last as long as possible, but something calls out his attention. 

His senses as a wolf are heightened, so it's only fair that he starts to slow down by the time it feels like there's someone else in the forest with him. Jeongguk listens carefully to the noise in the woods, ears twitching swiftly as he takes quiet steps when trying to figure out where the sound is coming from. It’s far away, but it doesn’t seem like it’s another wolf-- maybe a different supernatural creature, or just a harmless wild animal.

Not harmless, though. The last thing Jeongguk hears is the sound of a click and pain in one of his back paws. He lets out something that seems to be a howl and a cry of pain, passing out right after. 

Bad decisions get another point. 

The first thing Jeongguk sees when he wakes up is an old wooden ceiling. He’s lying on his back and doesn’t seem to be in his wolf form anymore, which makes him a little worried. His head hurts like he has a bad hangover, but Jeongguk doesn't remember ever drinking so much that he got drunk. He licks between his lips, feeling a little dehydrated as he sits down. Jeongguk grumbles a little as he feels pain in his right leg and foot and realizes there’s only a thin white blanket covering his lower limbs.

It is clear that he would be naked after changing back from wolf to human, but he decides not to worry about his lost clothes, but the fact that he does not recognize where he is. As he looks around, Jeongguk notices that all the walls are wood, so he must be in a hut or a bungalow, but there is no picture or sign of another person present. Jeongguk knows that he wouldn’t have gotten there on his own, and much less placed an IV on his arm by himself.

Someone must have taken him from the forest after he got hurt, but Jeongguk can’t seem to remember anything. He was probably still passed out, but at least he’s not chained up and filled with bruises in the rest of his body - there are bandages on his calf and foot and he can’t see the injuries, but Jeongguk feels like they’re bad. 

The place where he was lying is a makeshift bed of a metal stretcher and there are some cupboards scattered around the room. Jeongguk is a curious person, but he is dizzy and feeling the bruises pulsing along with his stomach rumbling with hunger. He doesn’t know when was the last time he ate, let alone what time it is now. He was out for a long time, he figures.

The windows are completely closed, but through some thin cracks it’s possible to notice the sunlight outside. It’s not too bright, so Jeongguk imagines it must be close to dusk now. There’s no sign of life in the streets nor people walking around. It’s quite silent, save for the sounds of cars moving slowly along the away street, the birds chirping from their nests high up in trees and other small animals ambling across the forest. 

So, Jeongguk comes up with the conclusion that he’s still in the forest. 

Suddenly there is the loud startling noise of a lock and chains moving in another room and Jeongguk wants to jump to his feet, remove the IV from his arm and prepare to face whoever is walking towards him. But he’s bruised and naked and vulnerable, so all that happens is his red eyes appear and his fingernails grow longer and sharper.

“Easy there, tiger .”

Jeongguk’s eyes dart towards a door he hadn’t even noticed was there before. 

It’s Seokjin and he’s holding an eco bag on his right shoulder. There’s a grin on the corner of his lips as he walks into the room, leaving the door open. “Or wait. Should I say ‘easy there, wolf’?”

“Wha—” Jeongguk tries to mumble, but he gives up mid-sentence, sitting back on the stretcher to relieve the pain in his ankle.

Seokjin knows he’s a wolf. He doesn’t seem to be scared or to hate Jeongguk. What the fuck is happening there?

“Anyway. I figured you’d be uncomfortable to be, uh, naked all the time,” Seokjin continues, shaking his head and taking clothes from the bag and Jeongguk has never been happier to see a bunch of fabric in his life. “How are you feeling? You were pretty messed up when we found you.”

Jeongguk stops tying the knot of the shorts he slides into quickly, he raises his head and furrows his brows. “ We ?”

“Oh, yes. Werewolves are heavy, even though I’m strong, I don’t think I could’ve carried you on my own,” Seokjin mumbles, getting a first-aid kid from the bag as well. He sits by Jeongguk’s side, and makes a signal for the wolf to stretch his leg so he can change the dressings of his wound. “And our Jeonggukie is a wolf, huh? I didn’t see that coming, but you have to be careful around here.” 

Seokjin’s words are casual, as if it’s not the first time he’s handling a werewolf. Jeongguk surely knows that there are people who are aware of their existence, but he hadn’t met any of those people before. It’s strange to be talking about it so openly with someone who’s not his mother. But he doesn’t continue on the subject and just gapes at the mark that runs from his ankle, part of his foot, to his calf; there’s a little bit of blood and purple and red stains on the skin that isn't injured, so he figures it must have been something really ugly before Seokjin took care of the wound. It’s the mark of a hunter’s trap and an arrow, Jeongguk recognizes them from all the photos he’s seen online in the werewolf communities. He was trapped and attacked by a hunter in the woods all at the same time, as if anyone had known he would be there.

How did he manage to not get caught by the hunter?

“Oh, shit. I forgot the painkillers in the car and you’re probably in pain,” Seokjin grumbles, rolling his eyes at himself. “I’ll be right back, Jeongguk, just, uh, sit tight.”

It’s not like Jeongguk is going anywhere with a bleeding leg and no slippers on, but he nods either way. Seokjin rushes out of the room and Jeongguk continues staring at the floor, trying to wrap his head around what must have happened from the moment he was hit until now. He can’t remember anything, and he doesn’t have his phone or the rest of his clothes to feel a little more comfortable in his skin. Jeongguk doesn’t even know where he is. 

Taking a deep breath, Jeongguk moves his head up and, accidentally, he glances at the door, finding Kim Taehyung leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed in front of his chest. He widens his eyes, gripping on the mattress as he pushes himself back on the stretcher for more comfort. 

Kim Taehyung was the other person who found him?

There’s an undefined look in his eyes and Jeongguk gulps. It means that Taehyung knows who—what he is. It’s a bit scary, and he doesn’t know how to act. He doesn’t know what he’s supposed to say. Taehyung must be pissed after Jeongguk left him in that bathroom, because there’s not even a smile on his lips, just gleaming dark eyes hovering over him and Jeongguk analyzing what could be happening.

Should he just try to explain himself?

“I’ve always thought there was some sort of deeper reason why we weren’t big fans of each other. I don’t have a big ego, as you were mentioning every time we saw the other,” Taehyung breaks out their silence, entering the room in a slow pace. He’s not looking at Jeongguk anymore. He’s putting down a knife and a bow over a chair next to Seokjin’s eco bag. “I just didn’t think you were a werewolf because this is just hilarious.”

Taehyung has a bow, and Jeongguk was hit by an arrow. Immediately, Jeongguk pushes himself up on the stretcher and blinks, red eyes taking over. It’s only fair that he’s putting two and two together after getting injured. What are the chances that it was Taehyung who hurt him?

But Taehyung doesn’t do anything. He’s harmless. He stands in front of Jeongguk, resting his back on the wood wall as he reads over Jeongguk’s face. There’s not even a single trace of surprise about Jeongguk’s reaction. Maybe he’s already well aware that Jeongguk is a lone wolf and his fight or flight senses are stronger than for most wolves.

“Seokjin hyung told me he knew you from high school,” Jeongguk lets out, hands touching the sheets as if that would give him more support in case of a fight winning. “It didn’t seem like you two were friends.”

“He lied to you, Jeongguk-ah,” Taehyung replies, drumming his fingers on his bare arms. His words come out as if Jeongguk isn’t seeing exactly what it’s in front of him. “Would you rather have Seokjin hyung telling you we know each other because we come from two families of hunters? We’re not friends, our parents are, but we do know each other more than just a couple of high school buddies.”

Hunters. Of course Seokjin and Taehyung are hunters and were the ones to find Jeongguk hurt in the middle of the woods. He’s lucky that he’s not chained up and being tortured. Jeongguk knows what hunters do. They don’t like any supernatural creatures and live their lives to kill them. Some of them are mercenaries and work for money—and to others it’s just the family business. 

“You didn’t exactly tell us that you were a wolf either, Jeongguk,” Taehyung continues, playing with his dagger. How many weapons does Taehyung have in him? “I could feel like something was off about you, but I couldn’t put it together. Now it makes sense why everything in me was… Well. ”

“Was it you?” Jeongguk whispers, fingers digging into the mattress. He’s not scared, but apprehensive. It’s not what he was expecting to be his encounter with Taehyung after that Saturday night. 

Jeongguk provides no context nor continues his phrase, but Taehyung knows pretty well what he’s talking about.

“No, Jeongguk. I wasn’t the one who shot you—I was the one who found you hurt in that trap before someone else could lock you up. I’m not on the field anymore, but I still have access to the hunter’s lines and I was lucky to find Seokjin hyung to help me out,” Taehyung clarifies, taking a few steps forward to stand right in front of him. “They have been talking about a rogue wolf on those mountains for the past few weeks. I figured they thought it was you, but the time stamps didn’t match, so we brought you here to treat your wounds.”

It’s like Jeongguk is feeling a great irony at that moment. Jeongguk ran away from any skirmishes and confrontations with Taehyung only to be saved by him hours later in the middle of the forest—and he’s part of a family of hunters. 

Jeongguk has just had an orgasm with a hunter. Great. He also has an embarrassing crush in one of them. Even better.

“What were you thinking, Jeongguk?” Taehyung asks, looking a little worried now. “You're new here and don’t know the territory; you are without a pack and came to the forest alone. Seoul is full of hunters and not all of them are as nice as Seokjin and I—others wouldn’t have saved you. You could have been captured by one of them, who would obviously think you were involved with the other adult wolf. You’re an annoying and insufferable brat, but death by the hands of a hunter is slow, painful, and will make you regret ever setting foot in this town. I wouldn’t want that on my worst enemies.”

“I don't have a pack,” Jeongguk mutters, blinking and making his brown eyes take over his red one’. That wasn't the point of Taehyung's question, but it's the only thing Jeongguk manages to say (and is he one of Taehyung's worst enemies now?).

Taehyung chokes on his own saliva. “You don’t—”

If Jeongguk were to define what he sees in Taehyung’s face right now, it would be a surprise mixed with a dumbfounded expression. Lone wolves aren’t common. Most of them are rogue ones who were banned from their previous packs for causing trouble, so Jeongguk figures that Taehyung’s questioning stare is quite understandable.

Still, Jeongguk doesn’t have to explain himself to Kim Taehyung. He is of legal age and knows what he wants for his life and definitely doesn’t have to keep talking about himself with a snob from the Lacrosse team. It’s not his fault he doesn’t have a pack to call home and that Kim Taehyung is a fucking hunter. His mother and their house near the beach is more than enough for him to live comfortably—it’s where he plans to go back to once he’s done with university.

“Jeongguk, were you turned by bite?” Taehyung asks after long minutes of silence, he rubs his elbows gently. “You’re not a born wolf, right? Neither of your parents are wolves like you?”

Taehyung’s eyes are fixed on the scar on Jeongguk’s waist, who had already forgotten to finish dressing up. There’s the mark of a wolf's fangs on his skin. Even though now with the wolf gene Jeongguk gets better faster than normal humans, that scar doesn’t look like it's going to disappear anytime soon. It’s a living reminder of what happened to him in order for him to become a werewolf, but Jeongguk takes a deep breath and puts on the shirt Seokjin gave him.

 “Yeah, I was turned by a wolf a year ago,” he answers, eyes finding Seokjin as he comes back into the room with medicine and a few sandwiches. 

Jeongguk’s voice comes out hoarse. He tries not to sound too bitter when saying that. It’s still strange to talk about what happened. “Why?”

Although Jeongguk doesn't get an answer, he's pretty sure that the look Taehyung and Seokjin  exchange at that exact moment tells him everything he needs to know.

The rogue wolf is in Seoul after Jeongguk.

In moments like this, Jeongguk realizes how difficult it is to be a lone wolf and why most people present in online communities said that wolves without a pack die sooner. Jeongguk isn’t planning on dying early, but after listening to Seokjin and Taehyung’s explanation of how the werewolf who turned him left a mark on him that can be traced, Jeongguk believes this could very well happen.

They’re fucking bonded through that fucking scar in Jeongguk’s wait.

There are some differences between being a werewolf by genetics and being turned by a bite of another wolf—or even a scratch from an alpha during a full moon. Generally, it is very difficult for any human being who does not have at least a trace of the wolf gene to be successfully transformed into a full werewolf, that is, either Jeongguk was very lucky, or one of his ancestors was a wolf and somehow his family line drifted away from the pack and stopped shifting.

(Seokjin made a very long family tree of Jeongguk’s relatives all the way back to the old disnaties and couldn’t find a matching name in their list of wolves from packs. 

Jeongguk finds it extremely weird that hunters have wolves names’ in a book like a catalog. He doesn’t mention it though)

There is no explanation for a pack wolf to transform humans out of nowhere, unless he is a relative who for unknown reasons ended up not being able to complete their full transformation into a werewolf until they turn fifteen years of age. A ritual is performed to awaken the wolf within these people, but even so, they still have the gene in them and the mark between the parent wolf and the wolf to be transformed is not complete.

In cases of wolves that are turned by rogue ones, they often die before the bite heals. One more point for Jeongguk and his incredible luck. However, rogue wolves only try to transform humans when they need something from them, especially when they've been injured by hunters and can’t heal on their own. There are certain weapons made of pure silver that hurt wolves in a way that only the blood of a wolf transformed by it will be able to improve—it's not a theory that works one hundred percent of the time, it is necessary that the blood type matches and that the wolf don't have any kind of bond with a pack. So, there are chances that the wolf knows Jeongguk personally.

The result of all of this is that Jeongguk has Kim Taehyung on his tail at every possible moment. Quite literally.

That whole cliche of jocks just using the person and then throwing them away is proven wrong with this, after all, Taehyung is always after Jeongguk, even if for the wrong reasons. Apparently, without a hunter around, the smart-ass wolf might want to kidnap Jeongguk from inside the college, or another hunter might notice the presence of a packless wolf and assume that Jeongguk is also a rogue looking for new victims.

So anyway, Jeongguk is completely screwed. He still thinks he can fend for himself, but Taehyung is much more stubborn off the field than he is on it. At least in his uniform, Jeongguk can hit his shin with a stick and pretend he didn’t mean to. Outside, he feels a little suffocated by everything and putting his foot in front of Taehyung would be a  little too much.

For starters, Jeongguk doesn't have time to think about everything that happened to Taehyung the night of the team’s victory party. He still couldn’t put the dots together in his head that if he hadn’t run out of that bathroom, the two of them wouldn’t have stopped jerking each other off. Not that Jeongguk is the type to believe in sex only after marriage (which he already broke with Taehyung), but he doesn’t know if he can do one night stands without getting attached to the person—and this is his way of saying that he might like Taehyung a little more than he allows himself to confess.

Another point is that Jeongguk doesn't know exactly what to do from then on. Waiting for the other hunters to catch the runaway wolf that’s making them lose their minds? Venture himself  into the woods to find out who his sire is? Looking for a pack so he has protection in case of an attack? Keep putting up with Taehyung following his every step?

In doubt, Jeongguk decides to throw himself into his studies and lacrosse as they’re the easiest choices. It’s impossible for anyone to walk into the university library, or to be interested in a lacrosse game played by a bunch of students just out of puberty and with too much energy to burn; according to Seokjin and Taehyung, rogues are older and easily identified in a crowd. Of course they wouldn’t be able to hide anything in the middle of a university filled with people fresh out of high school.

There’s no way Jeongguk can run away from Taehyung with that choice, as annoying as it is. So, Jeongguk accepts his painful fate of reliving that night every time he lays eyes on the hunter.

At night, Jeongguk has to deal with the memory of how Taehyung's hands tightened on his waist and how he kissed him with desire. The conflicting information that the two are pretending nothing happened doesn't help with Jeongguk’s frustration and running to the restroom when Namjoon and Hyunjin are in the dorm. He has never gone to another party after that night.

It’s infuriating and Jeongguk tries his best to not snap at Taehyung every time they’re staring at each other from across the room. He can’t pretend nothing happened and continue having Taehyung as a colleague in a few classes and as his teammate (and captain) in lacrosse. It’s difficult and it causes a little bit of pent up tension between the two of them. Luckily, the Coach still thinks they hate each other’s guts—and maybe Taehyung does hate Jeongguk, after all, they’re a hunter and a wolf. What would there be between them other than hatred?

Things with Seokjin are a bit different, though. 

Jeongguk isn’t sure if it’s because Seokjin sees him as a little brother, but he’s wary and careful. As far as Jeongguk knows, he hasn’t told anyone else about him being a wolf or what happened during that Sunday night in the woods. They’re a bit closer than what they were, but that’s about it. It’s just Taehyung that has become more protective and taken over the role of Jeongguk’s unwanted bodyguard. 

In one of those evenings, a little bit too close to another Lacrosse game which will happen in two weeks, Jeongguk finds himself laying on his bed with both hands on top of his stomach. The windows are open and yet it’s still hot inside the dormitory; spring has been passing quickly and it feels like summer is knocking on the door.

The match to come is one of the most important of the season and the coach keeps repeating it. It will mark whether the team is classified for the national championship that will take place right before the start of the holidays, or if they should finish the season with no chance of being able to fight for the trophy.

As much as Jeongguk is training tirelessly every day, he still feels like it’s not enough. All the teams they will face in the next games are very good and that gives Jeongguk little butterflies in his stomach. He is a new player with little experience, and even though he has a natural talent, Jeongguk has a lot to worry about besides Lacrosse. That is, he thinks that he is not always one hundred percent focused on the games.

“A penny for your thoughts,” Namjoon’s voice echoes through the room, snapping Jeongguk out of his distraction with a low chuckle. “What happened that made you so thoughtful?”

Jeongguk takes a deep breath and turns to the side, seeing that Namjoon has closed the book he was reading and is staring at him.

“Lacrosse.”

Namjoon laughs, shaking his head. “And to think I called you a jock earlier in the semester and you corrected me.”

“Hyung,” Jeongguk complains. “Not quite like that.”

“Why? Do you think that all jocks are slow-witted assholes who only think with their dicks and I’m calling you that?” Namjoon asks, raising an eyebrow. “Because I’m not. Some jocks are quite nice, actually, but never tell them I told you that.”

“It’s not even about that,” he tries to explain, but can’t quite put it into words. “I was just thinking that I never figured I’d be in this position someday. I was the quiet kid at the back of the room, trying not to get noticed by my classmates, and now I’m one of the Lacrosse players for my University and there’s a lot of people counting on me. I don’t feel… good enough?”

“Do you believe in yourself?” Namjoon asks. Jeongguk looks up, eyes wide. The question surprises him more than anything else that had been said since he came to Seoul and met everyone in the team. Kim Taehyung included 

Jeongguk shakes his head. “No, hyung. That’s not what I meant. It’s just—I mean, why am I here? What exactly did Coach Lee see in me? I know I can do good on the field, but I can't quite picture what happened there. So, there's a lot of pressure on me because of it. It’s like I’m supposed to be some sort of shining star.”

“I see,” Namjoon hums before nodding and leaning back on the headboard of the bed. “I’m not much of a sports player myself, but I do know that the people who have the eyes for it can see when someone's good. That’s you, Jeongguk. I’ve seen you on the field and, dude, you're like, on Taehyung’s level. No kidding. I think you're just having the jitters because of how important this next game is.”

“You think so?” Jeongguk asks, feeling a bit embarrassed by it. Namjoon nods again, smiling slightly. “Thanks, hyung,”

“No worries,” Namjoons shrugs, moving to lay on his back.  Maybe Kim Namjoon is his next best friend because their short conversation puts a little smile on his face. “I do think this isn’t about Lacrosse, though. If it were, you’d be on the field training until your muscles wear out and you can’t even raise your arms.”

Jeongguk regrets the best friend thing before he says it out loud. 

It’s obvious that friends can see through him quite easily — and Jeongguk isn’t exactly the hardest person to figure out. Jeongguk is really simple and there’s nothing much special in his life if he’s not considering the whole wolf thing. Maybe Namjoon doesn’t even know wolves are real.

However, Jeongguk isn't feeling like going through all of the situation by explaining it thoroughly, so he just sighs and shrugs. It’s late and he’s tired.

“I’m just overwhelmed.”

And it's not a lie. It will never be a little.

Jeongguk is dealing with university, the Lacrosse team, Kim Taehyung following him around, a rogue wolf who wants his neck  and the crush that he will never admit to have on a certain Lacrosse team captain. In short, Jeongguk only closes his eyes and hides his face under the pillow, trying to get some rest. 

It doesn’t work, though, but at least he tried.

The players get exempted from their afternoon classes on the following day. They’re just reviewing subjects for now and the game to come is important, so they won’t miss attendance for being on the field training for it. As there are a lot of different moves to cover according to Coach Lee, Jeongguk figures they will be there for a long time.

Jeongguk stretches as well as he can before getting assigned to one team and given their play assignment. It’s common for them to play following different strategies so they can check what fits them best—they change team members, positions and even sides on the field to be aware of what could be coming their way. 

If they can adjust in a moment to change their opponents’ play plans, then that is an excellent thing. But if not, then they must learn to adapt in order to keep their teams running smoothly. This requires them to be smart. That, and practice. Jeongguk does not mind practicing— but he also thinks it's funny his new reality, and keeps on remembering when he told his mother he had made it to the Lacrosse team and she didn't even believe him.

His teammates greet him, some waving enthusiastically, others just giving small nods of acknowledgement as they're placed across the field. It's a familiar feeling and Jeongguk greets each member with a smile as he takes the position of captain — with Taehyung on his team. Jeongguk can’t think of a reality in which this works out, but he decides he will trust that their coach knows what he’s trying to do.

“You finally got there, huh?” Taehyung comments during one of their breaks, opening a bottle of water by Jeongguk’s side. “You got my place. Not a very good boy after all.”

“This is just a practice game,” Jeongguk grumbles, rolling his eyes at him. “And I’m not a fucking dog.”

So—yeah. That has been happening. The little teasing that comes with an annoyingly smug smile and wink. Jeongguk hates it. Or better—he doesn’t know if he wants to punch him, or make out so hard in the locker room that Taehyung will forget his words. Either way it works. Jeongguk doesn’t do either one of them or comes back to his dormitory frustrated.

“C’mon, pup,” Taehyung smirks, elbowing him lightly on the biceps. He’s probably mad about losing his captaincy for a few hours, but having the time of his life with leaving Jeongguk flustered. “Wolfie wouldn’t hit the same.”

“How about not talking to me at all?” Jeongguk suggests, raising an eyebrow. 

It would be easier. It would be so much easier. 

Jeongguk wouldn’t have to think about his stupid beautiful face, deep voice and rectangular smile, but he should’ve known that Taehyung doesn’t like to make things simple. He likes them complicatedly hard and confusing, filled with bows and arrows and teasing and hands and eyes and—Jeongguk thrown against a sink and their pants pulled down to their thighs.

Shit. 

Jeongguk hates horny people. Especially himself.

Taehyung clicks his tongue on the roof of his mouth. “Nah, what would be the fun in that?”

“Back on the field,” Coach Lee yells, saving Jeongguk from having to answer that. 

It’s interesting how Taehyung hasn’t noticed Jeongguk’s obvious crush on him. He’s not exactly subtle about it, but he imagines that it looks like his eyes are filled with hatred, annoyance and the will of running away from a hunter and not a flustering lust building up between them. However, Jeongguk takes the win and moves on with his life.

Not really—Jeongguk just likes to think like that.

They’re the last ones on the field during the evening, but Jeongguk doesn’t notice Taehyung watching over his attempts of throwing as many balls into the goal from different angles and distances as possible. Jeongguk has a good vision, so it’s not a struggle to come up with approaches that match what he’s using and what he’s doing with the stick. 

Practice ended almost an hour ago, but Jeongguk doesn’t plan on leaving right now. He’s focused on putting a better position of his hands on the stick for a better angle and movement on the field, but he can’t quite put it out in the world. His wrists are tired and his brain feels mushy from the early classes and afternoons filled with Coach Lee’s screams with instructions of how differently they should be playing. 

Jeongguk was out of the team for a couple of weeks because of his leg injury. It was the obvious thing that would happen with this type of injury, but eventually Jeongguk had to go to the doctor after they left Taehyung’s family bungalow so he could get a doctor's note to cover his absences from college for the days he was injured. It was hard to explain to Namjoon and Hyunjin that he had been injured in a usual hunter’s trap in the woods during a run over the weekend, but they ended up accepting it anyway. The coach was obviously pissed, but he ended up putting someone in Jeongguk’s place in the games scheduled that week and didn’t let him return to the official team until he got a written from a doctor that his leg was one hundred percent healed.

It was completely fine after a couple of days because of his superhuman healing, but no one believed him. So, Jeongguk enjoyed his days off by sleeping them off and catching up on the subjects he wasn’t attending with notes from his classmates, but he regretted it immediately after coming back to class and to his normal practice. He was so behind, so Jeongguk started practicing on his own like he would do with Taehyung.

Today is one of those days. Jeongguk is upset because he missed a few goals and is trying to perfect them so that he won’t make the same mistake on the official game day. He has always been a perfectionist, and Lacrosse has been fueling it to its maximum point. It’s not entirely a bad thing, but Jeongguk is always too tired at the end of the day.

“Don’t you think you’re pushing yourself too hard?” Taehyung mumbles, sitting by his side on the bleachers once Jeongguk decides to give himself a small break. “You’ll end up getting hurt.”

Jeongguk glances at him, seeing the iced water bottle Taehyung is handing out. It’s the first time he sees him there, but he’s still panting and tired, so Jeongguk just closes his eyes and shakes his head for a moment.

“I want to be as good as possible.”

Taehyung hums quietly, “You are good enough already.”

“What are you doing here?” Jeongguk asks changing the subject, voice muffled by his sore throat, so he ends up accepting the water. He doesn’t want to fall into an argument with Kim Taehyung. “I thought you had left with the others.”

“I did leave,” Taehyung says, leaning back on the seat. “Then I stopped by to grab the cap I forgot here, and I saw you still practicing by yourself, so I decided to stay and watch.”

With a frown, Jeongguk turns his head to stare at him. “Why?”

“Because,” Taehyung shrugs, pressing his eyebrows together as Jeongguk glares at him. The wolf tries not to notice, but Taehyung has pretty long eyelashes and another mole on his cheek. “I’m nice? And I care?” 

It's clear that he's trying to look cool, but that sounded weird and he's making it a bit too obvious that he doesn't have any other explanation as to why he chose to stay here and watch Jeongguk practice on his own.

“You don't,” Jeongguk lets out automatically, not even filtering it out by overthinking everything.  He hates that Taehyung makes him be that person, so he chugs down the entire water bottle to hide his embarrassment. 

Taehyung snorts. “Is it that difficult to imagine me not being a complete asshole? 'Cause I'm not one.”

“People who aren’t assholes don't need to say they’re not assholes,” Jeongguk points out, placing down the empty bottle. It’s only common sense, so Jeongguk doesn’t have to think of something to hide his face away. “You're annoying and won't leave me alone. It has gotten worse since you've found out I'm a wolf.”

“I'm trying to protect you, Jeongguk. No one will attack you with a hunter on your side. Even if I'm not on the field anymore,” Taehyung sighs deeply, as if speaking this for the 400th time will make Jeongguk understand. “And you're not the easiest to be around either. You're so fucking dense and such a headstrong person.”

Jeongguk scrunches up his face, which Taehyung returns with a tired eye-roll, like some sort of silent agreement that they’re not making amends tonight. They are both idiots, and they both hate each other, but at least they get along when their mutual hatred is justified - wolves and hunters aren't supposed to be friends. 

But somehow they still manage to work together on the team, managing to be the perfect duo on the attack against the other teams. Maybe the only thing keeping them apart is their own stubbornness (and Jeongguk’s unrevealed crush on Taehyung). 

So Taehyung goes back to watching from his corner, arms crossed over his chest and Looking very much like a sulking adolescent even if it’s been years since he was last called that. He knows better than to argue about Jeongguk's inability to see reason, or anything that isn't thoroughly well-explained to him.

It’s late at night when Jeongguk decides to call it a day and head to the locker room to take a shower and get rid of his sticky clothes. Luckily, his first class isn't until after 9am, but he will still be incredibly sore and tired tomorrow morning, even with his wolf side helping him out with that.

The water feels good as it hits his back, cleansing away some of his accumulated sweat and tiredness. He takes a moment to appreciate the cool feel on his skin, before stepping out and grabbing an extra towel to dry out his hair. The showers are a great place to unwind, because they give him time to reflect on everything that’s bothering him, and just relax.  Even if it’s just for a little while. 

As he wraps the towel around his waist, he spots the familiar dark brown locks in front of him, sitting on the bench in front of his locker. Jeongguk frowns, putting down the face towel to stare at Taehyung with curiosity and suspicion. Why won't he just leave for the day? Why does he have to keep following Jeongguk around with no proper explanation other than the rogue wolf bullshit?

 “What do you want Taehyung?” Jeongguk asks through gritted teeth, not bothering to disguise his voice as he crosses his arms. Taehyung looks up in response, dampening his lips with the tip of his tongue as he observes the frown forming between Jeongguk's eyebrows. “Do you need something? Really, 'cause this is getting weird. And don't come at me with the hunter bullshit because I can defend myself.”

There are a few seconds of silence between them. It’s just Taehyung watching over him, without flinching or stiffening his body under Jeongguk's words— a pair of keys are in his hands, and he’s playing with them, but no reaction other than the childish key fiddling with his fingers. It’s like Taehyung was expecting that and isn’t even surprised by Jeongguk's indignation. As if it's what he'd been expecting ever since their encounter hours ago.

Finally, Taehyung sighs. It seems like an effort to make his breath audible, and Jeongguk raises an eyebrow.

“We have a saying that is—there are three that cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth,” Taehyung murmurs, putting the keychain down as he gets back on his feet. Why does it feel like he’s quoting a movie? “But a few oblivious people can’t see the truth, even when it’s right in front of them.”

“What?” Jeongguk frowns at him in confusion as the Captain makes his way towards the door. There must be some kind of misunderstanding between them because how else would he know what the saying means? “Taehyung, wait. What are you talking about?”

“Nothing,” Taehyung smiles at him, and opens the door before he can say anything more. It's the kindest gesture he has ever gotten from Taehyung - and he was saved by him just a couple of months ago. “Good night, Jeongguk-ssi.”

Jeongguk stands there, dumbfounded. He watches Taehyung leave without another word, wondering how he could possibly misunderstand everything he said; he has no idea what Taehyung was talking about. He hasn't been a wolf for too long and all he knows about hunters is that they're incredibly annoying, even if he thinks that it's mainly Taehyung’s fault.

Riddles have never been Jeongguk’s favorite thing. Jeongguk doesn’t follow him and just keeps looking at the closed door. 

He’s smart, intelligent and all the other synonyms that there may exist in every single language when it comes to studies and learning, but he can’t find out what Taehyung was trying to tell him for his own good.

That night, Jeongguk goes back home and throws himself on his bed, ending up falling asleep fast while thinking about the sun, the moon and the possible truth. In the morning, Jeongguk wakes up and, while brushing his teeth, he’s still analyzing it. 

It’s true—the sun and the moon are always high up in the sky. Despite the cold winters and heavy thunderstorms, they’re still there and will come out after the weather changes, even if it takes a few days or even a month. The sun and the moon will never stay hiding. It’s one of the certainties one can have in their lives. But… the truth? What kind of truth is Taehyung even trying to reference?

There’s one thing about it—lies are difficult to keep. Eventually, clarity brings out honesty and lies get debunked. But why would Taehyung even try to have Jeongguk think about this?

Is he asking Jeongguk to solve a riddle, or is he telling him something else entirely? That doesn’t make any sense at all, but Taehyung has never been the clearest person in their University. Jeongguk grunts, rinsing the toothpaste from his mouth. No, Taehyung definitely isn't stupid, and he knew what he was doing when he let those words out before walking out of their locker room with a smirk on his lips.

By the end of the week, Jeongguk still doesn’t know the answer to a question his own brain created.

Even though Jeongguk knows he isn’t completely safe anywhere other than the university with Taehyung at his side, he’s almost climbing the walls for a change of scenery. After winning the qualifying game, the final exams start to be mentioned by the teachers and Jeongguk still has to worry about the next games to come and which teams they will be facing in the following phase.

Since having his first transformation into a wolf, Jeongguk has found that he feels most comfortable when he is in contact with his animal form. He can relax and de-stress more easily than when he’s on two legs and with his human brain overthinking every single decision he makes. It’s easier to forget about the rest of the world, about all his worries and responsibilities that come with being an adult, even if Jeongguk has just started to get there.

The last time he shifted properly was when Taehyung and Seokjin found him injured in the mountains, and even though he’s frustrated and angry with Taehyung, he knows the hunter is right. It's funny how the aforementioned phrase comes back every now and then—the truth is, Jeongguk is a wolf, and he can’t keep it hidden for that long. His red eyes come out every now and then on the field, especially when he’s getting irritated because of something (someone called Kim Taehyung).

It's been two weeks since Taehyung was waiting for him in the locker room, and he still hasn't explained what he wanted to say to Jeongguk. It’s a little frustrating, but Jeongguk is getting used to Kim Taehyung’s way of existing in life. He's the type of person to avoid confrontation and pretend nothing happened—it's no surprise that they've never talked about what happened at one of the members of the lacrosse team's house.

Or worse, he was drunk and doesn’t even remember anything. Again—Taehyung takes pride in getting into Jeongguk’s nerves, so he might just be pretending. 

Jeongguk can’t wait for their mid-year break so he can go back home and forget about all this nonsense in Busan. It will be summer, the weather will be great and he will get to run around the mountains over there without worrying about a rogue wolf following him around. 

So much for having a tranquil beginning of the year at university. 

Their team wins and makes it to the semifinals of the championship. Coach Lee takes them out to a small backyard party in his house to celebrate on Sunday afternoon. 

Jeongguk didn’t want to go, he didn’t have nice memories about parties (he’s lying), but Namjoon and the others insist that he should go. They don’t know about Taehyung and what they did—much less about the fact that Jeongguk has a shameful crush on him, even if he’s not calling it a crush. It’s lasting for too long to be just a small, little and silly crush. He’s blaming that one orgasm he had with him, but not out loud.

It’s a Professor’s house and nothing will go wrong, of course, or at least it’s what Jeongguk wants to believe when Yoongi drops him off in front of the house. They’ll eat barbecue, have beer and then go back to the dormitory because they have classes and practice tomorrow. Jeongguk definitely won’t go to any sketchy after party if any of the team members ask him to join. 

Maybe Jeongguk can stay there for only a couple of hours, go back to his dorm and tell Kim Namjoon he’s a wolf. Maybe he will just tell him he’s also gay and maybe one will outweigh the other and Jeongguk won’t have to worry about two things at the same time. It’s not like it´s a secret, but he’s not telling anyone either.

Both about the wolf and the gay thing. 

Half of the team is already there as Jeongguk walks through the house to get to the backyard, following Coach Lee’s roommate’s instructions. They have an awfully big house and Jeongguk doesn’t think that the Kibum guy is only a friend, but he didn’t ask any questions. It’s not his place. 

The first thing Jeongguk sees as he reaches the backyard is Kim Taehyung with a can of beer, sitting by the stairs and murmuring the song playing in the background. He’s alone, but a few other players are scattered around the place, talking to the Coach and with each other. It’s more like an uncle’s family barbecue than a party itself, but Taehyung is still there so Jeongguk will complain. 

 He can’t even turn on his heels and go back to the University because Coach Lee sees him. 

“Jeon Jeongguk!” Coach calls out, having him forcing out a smile. “Our newest discovery in the Republic of Korea! Come here, dude. Join us! We have to celebrate this victory!”

Jeongguk can feel Taehyung’s eyes following him as he goes down the stairs to greet the coach and the rest of the players. There’s a long discourse about how important the new additions to the team were, and how without them, and Kim Taehyung, they wouldn’t be able to get this far in the championship—and Jeongguk thinks Coach Lee might be slightly drunk already.

The other guys are also tipsy at least a little bit, and the smell of alcohol is making it hard for Jeongguk to take them seriously, but he knows how important it is for them, so he chuckles at their comments without saying much.

“Come drink with us,” Coach continues, holding out the can of beer he was holding earlier. He grins at Jeongguk. “We're celebrating! I know you're a bit shy, but we're all friendly here. The best players are friends, right? Come here as well, Taehyung-ah, come out of your cave.”

It’s when Jeongguk notices. 

Taehyung is the star of their team and no werewolf player will take that away from him, but he’s closed off and always on his own most of the time. He’s got a lot of people wanting to befriend and to be with him, but every single time Jeongguk looks at him, he’s got that smirk on his face with serious eyes on the field, but outside—he’s observant, away. As if he doesn’t want people to get closer to him. 

However, he’s always after Jeongguk now, which feels a bit weird.

He joins the rest of them, though. There’s a faint smile on his lips, and Taehyung cheers with them when Coach Lee raises his beer. He tries not to make it obvious, but Jeongguk sees the way he keeps staring at him.  The corner of his mouth twitches upwards once, and then he averts his gaze as if he didn't see it.

Maybe he's just nervous. Or maybe something's wrong with Taehyung.

Either way, it irks Jeongguk.

The semifinals day comes two weeks before their final exams and Jeongguk feels like he doesn’t have time to breathe. He doesn’t know how every player handles it throughout their whole stay in University, but maybe it gets better with time— and better planning. He’s worried about both his grades and the game on Sunday—his grades because of the scholarship and the game on Sunday because, well, Jeongguk has become attached to lacrosse and doesn’t plan on giving up anytime soon.

 According to Coach Lee, there are big chances of him getting a secondary scholarship because of the sport even though he is already enrolled and attending University. Some students succeed with good grades and superb results in games, it is not common, but Jeongguk is a great candidate. That is, this option is growing within him, and he really wants to achieve it, It will relieve his mother’s finances and it’s the least he can do for her.

It’s an early Friday evening and the Coach has given the players that day off. While he wants everyone to do their best on Sunday, he knows that won’t happen if the players are extremely tired before they even face their opponent. So, it was agreed that everyone would be released from practice that day and return to the field on Saturday to review everything they had trained for the last few weeks and adjust any possible mistakes.

That didn’t stop Jeongguk from going out to the field to practice alone anyway. He spent the entire afternoon studying after class, and decided to give himself to lacrosse after he was done with his homework and studies, it’s mostly because he has the scholarship mentioned by the Coach on his mind and because he’s decided to win against SNU—the school that played against them before the start of the semester and Jeongguk was just watching it. 

And, even though he should’ve thought it would be a possibility, Jeongguk can’t help but be surprised by the fact that Kim Taehyung is already there, dressed in part of his uniform and with his fuzzy hair messed up by the early summer wind. 

Luckily, Taehyung doesn't notice his presence at first, so Jeongguk can observe how methodical and calm he is as he practices and plays. He's the type of player who's cold-blooded on the field and doesn't fall for provocations—unless Jeongguk is involved, which is weird. Jeongguk took a while to find that out, after all, everything he knew about Taehyung came from after his intrigues, so when one of his teammates said that about the old games, Jeongguk understood why the coach got so angry after they rolled in the grass.

“I figured you’d be here before me,” Taehyung comments as Jeongguk starts to approach. He didn't even turn around, but he sure knows who it is.

“Did you miss me that much, Taehyung-ssi?” Jeongguk asks, placing his cell phone on the coach's table and watching the older one drinking water.

Taehyung chuckles, glancing at Jeongguk as he screws the cap back onto the water bottle.

“How could I not miss whoever is trying to take over my captaincy?” Taehyung mutters, squinting his eyes and Jeongguk snorts. Again, him with that story. “I can't let that happen, little wolf, but I also want to keep my title cleanly”

“You’re weird, dude,” Jeongguk says, frowning. How come he has a crush on this guy? He even ignores the ‘little wolf’ part of his phrase. “Like, really weird.”

“That’s not the first time someone has told me that, so thanks for the compliment,” Taehyung mumbles with a shrug. “Come on, join me for a one on one game. We have a game to win Sunday.”

Jeongguk smirks. “We do indeed, Captain Kim.”

That wins a chuckle from Taehyung, and they position themselves on different sides of the field with their sticks in hand. One on one games are different from team ones, but they’re golden for synchrony and have been working wonderfully for Taehyung and Jeongguk—who have finally learned to put their differences (and feelings) outside the lacrosse field. 

It starts as a normal game. They know the rules, and they know how each other works. Taehyung might have more experience, but Jeongguk is faster, and they face each other as opponents quite often in practice and when it's just them in the field. So, this isn't any surprise for them, and Jeongguk quite likes to play a match against Taehyung when it's just the two of them, with no titles and no Coach hovering over them as if they'd fall into another fist-fight, which had happened only once.

They’re facing each other now, ball stuck between both of their sticks without anyone making another move. It's been just a couple of minutes, but Jeongguk can feel the sweat dripping down his back and Taehyung's fierce eyes right in front of him. There's no noise from an audience or their teammates waiting for them to take an advantage and fall into the risks of a penalty, and there’s no pressure to score either, so it feels like it could go on forever. It would be too easy.

Taehyung moves first, throwing the ball to his right with a smug smile as he runs after it, passing by Jeongguk in the blink of an eye. He makes a quick decision—he jumps to follow, but Taehyung has already gotten far enough away to avoid his counterattack. He grunts in frustration, but then takes a moment to look at where Taehyung went and how the goal happened.

There’s such a glowing smile on Taehyung's face, one that should be making Jeongguk mad because he has gotten ahead of their score, but it doesn’t. It’s almost endearing and Jeongguk finds himself grinning, too. Taehyung catches him looking and throws the ball back to him before he turns around and runs off again, pretending that he wasn't just behaving as a clueless teenager a few seconds ago.

Jeongguk just wanted to not know why this was happening, but it’s pointless. He can’t control his feelings; he just can control how he acts on them and he decides to focus on the game instead of hating the things his brain is putting him through. The problem lies somewhere in that, but Jeongguk doesn’t want to think about it.

They have been playing for an hour already and the only points they have gained are a couple of small ones and nothing significant, yet it's good that they're practicing even with the day off. They’re keeping it low, so they won’t get hurt or too tired, since they’re there without the Coach’s approval.

At some point, Jeongguk gives himself a water break and sits by the bleachers with a water bottle in hand. His eyes fall back on Taehyung, who seems to feel completely at home on the field. He plays as if he's dancing through the field and the stick and ball are just an extension of his body. Jeongguk wonders if he will ever know what Lacrosse means to him. The fact that his mind doesn't even need to think about what he wants to do, and he just does it without any hesitation whatsoever is probably something else entirely. The thought alone makes Jeongguk's skin tingle.

“It’s what got me out of hunting,” Taehyung says, approaching Jeongguk slowly by the bleachers. He frowns, a bit confused with the words and how Taehyung managed to guess exactly what Jeongguk was asking himself. “Lacrosse got me out of hunting.”

“Oh, wow,” Jeongguk mumbles, surprised. “I didn’t know that.”

“No one other than Seokjin hyung knows,” Taehyung continues, sitting by Jeongguk’s side. He’s panting a little, but after playing for years, he knows how to control his breathing, so it doesn’t hurt. “I know I’ll never be fully out, but… This gave me a break for a few years. I don’t understand the ‘saving people and hunting the supernatural’ motto we follow.”

Jeongguk fiddles with his own fingers, looking down a bit as the tone of the conversation has gotten tense all of a sudden. “It doesn’t see the person behind the monster, does it?” 

Taehyung shakes his head. “Why aren’t we saving all of the people?”

And Jeongguk just wished he had an answer.

“Some families are a bit more progressive, while others are still pretty traditional,” Taehyung says after a deep breath. “You… you wouldn’t have survived if another person were the one finding you. A lone wolf in the middle of the woods when there’s the word of a rogue wolf running around those lands? Anyone would’ve killed you easily, and there are a lot more like you, Jeongguk. Some who lost their packs, or are just alone without knowing any supernatural groups.”

“That’s why you keep following me around?” Jeongguk asks. “So they won’t think I’m a lone wolf on my own?”

“Uh,” Taehyung clears his throat, “Let’s say it’s just that. So, Lacrosse means a lot to me because of that. I got a sports scholarship and had the chance to leave home and be here for a few years. You probably don’t care, but I noticed you were staring.”

But Jeongguk cares. He cares so much. 

He cares probably too much.

Either way, they have no future.

Like Taehyung said. Eventually, he will go back home to his hunter family and join them in the family business. There’s no place for a wolf in his life—even a harmless one like Jeongguk, who’s still not aware of the levels of his strength in both wolf and human forms.

“I—it…” Jeongguk stutters. He doesn’t know exactly what to say.

“It’s okay,” Taehyung grins, but there’s no sparkle in his eyes this time. “I should get going. It’s getting late. Good night, Jeongguk.”

Sunday arrives faster than Jeongguk can realize it and as much as he wants to have his mind completely focused on the semifinal match that will take place in less than two hours, he can't stop thinking about the conversation he had with Taehyung on Friday. He realizes that while he knows a lot about him, there is still a lot more about Kim Taehyung to unravel.

Ever since Taehyung walked slowly off the field after wishing Jeongguk a good night, they hadn't stopped to talk. Coach Lee didn't have time for anything on Saturday, they spent practically the entire morning and afternoon training and after five o'clock in the afternoon, Jeongguk was too tired to focus on anything else and just went to his dorm to rest for the big day to come. 

Today, Jeongguk is warming up with the rest of the team, but with his eyes on Taehyung. As always, he is focused on what he is doing and not letting himself be distracted by anything else. It's something that happens before every game. He is focused on winning and too rigid to get caught up in any pre-match drama. No wonder he’s been the captain of the team since he was admitted to university—yeah, Jeongguk went to research this out of sheer curiosity.

With a sigh, Jeongguk tries to do the same, putting all the drama aside.

This is the last game before the final and before his final exams, so he must do his best not to ruin it for the team. The finals are two weeks after the tryouts and his mother has promised to come to Seoul from Busan to watch him play. She's seen some videos of the games online, but it's nothing like seeing them in person.

The game is extremely difficult.

Jeongguk doesn't think he's ever seen a team as strong as SNU's in his short career. He hears his teammates complaining during short breaks, mostly about how the score is tied. Everyone wants to reach the final and lift the cup, but winning easily is neither fun nor funny.

At the last minute, Taehyung takes a penalty for the silliest move and Jeongguk can see him walking to the bench in between curses. It’s frustrating, at this stage of the championship, to take a penalty. However, when games are difficult and very intense, some players start to go for a more violent game and it becomes difficult not to fight back—understandably.

Ultimately they win by one point ahead of SNU and the celebration is full of relief. They will be in the closing game and, at least, the second place is guaranteed, but nobody is comfortable with that title and they want the first place on the podium.

Even with the difficult game, Jeongguk feels lighter for having won. He goes through the stands to talk to Namjoon, Seokjin, Hoseok and Yoongi so they can congratulate him on his victory and also say that Jeongguk was great on the field. The four became good friends with Jeongguk, even with Seokjin prodding him all the time to tell the other three that he's a wolf. They deserve to know, but Jeongguk still doesn't know how to tell.

When Jeongguk decides to head to the locker room to take a quick shower and change, he's not surprised that the place is completely empty. He lost track of time a bit while talking to his friends, and he also knew that part of the team was planning to go to a bar to celebrate their victory, as some of them wouldn't have school on Monday and could get drunk.

Jeongguk likes silence. It's a little funny considering his age and that he's in college, but he likes it. It's nice to just be hearing the sound of water splashing against your back and against the ground without a bunch of other players screaming outside the stalls. He manages to take a relaxing shower without wanting to run out of there as soon as possible.

Perhaps this has to do with the fact that all of his senses were heightened after he became a wolf. Yeah. It’s probably just that and the fact that Jeongguk has always been a quieter child and teenager.

But Jeongguk almost drops the towel around his waist when he sees Taehyung sitting on one of the benches in the locker room. He is only wearing sweatshorts and his head is leaning against the wall, his black shirt is resting on his thigh, and he has his eyes closed. For a moment, Jeongguk believes he may have dozed off there after the tiring game they had, but Taehyung stares at him the next moment making his theory fall apart.

It’s the second time this has happened.

Jeongguk doesn't think he'll get used to it.

Taehyung looks somewhere between angry and annoyed, and his phone is right next to him on the bench. He remembers the story with his parents and thinks that maybe it has something to do with them asking Taehyung to come home. 

But it’s not his place to say anything.

“You didn’t go out with the others?” Jeongguk breaks off the silence, feeling Taehyung’s eyes following him as he reaches out to his locker. “I thought you’d be celebrating.”

“I didn’t feel like going,” Taehyung mumbles, barely moving on the bench. “We almost lost because of me and that stupid penalty.”

Jeongguk frowns. “But we didn’t. We won.”

“With a close score, Jeongguk.”

“So what?” Jeongguk shrugs, turning around to face him as he puts on a shirt. “You’re the star of the team, of course the other players will go after you so they can remove you from the party. You shouldn’t feel bad about that. You’re not cut off from the next game, and we’ll get that first place. That’s why you’re sulky?”

“I’m not sulky,” Taehyung groans, pushing his legs up so that he’s hugging them. It’s a bit of a vulnerable position, and Jeongguk feels surprised that he’s allowing himself to be like that in front of him. “I’m frustrated. It’s different. We could’ve done this differently.”

“Yeah, we could,” Jeongguk murmurs, and then he sits by Taehyung’s side. He doesn’t even care he’s naked underneath his towel. “And we’ll do it in the next game. Coach Lee will probably have our necks on Tuesday.”

Taehyung turns his head to stare at him. “How are you so positive? Why aren’t you…”

“Why aren’t I, what?”

“You’re so smart when it comes to certain things, Jeongguk,” Taehyung completes, placing a frown of confusion in Jeongguk’s face as he’s pausing for a moment. “Now, you’re so oblivious about other things. I don’t understand.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jeongguk confesses, tilting his head a little. It’s cute, and Taehyung sighs. “Is this about what we were talking about on Friday? Because I care, Taehyung-ssi. I’m not an emotionless monster who doesn’t care about you, or what Lacrosse means to you. I’ve said it before I don’t want to take your place on the team. I’m not here for this.”

“I’m not talking about Friday,” Taehyung says, but Jeongguk can see he’s holding back a scoff. He’s probably frustrated and Jeongguk can’t figure out why. “I’m not talking about fucking Lacrosse. I’m talking about how you seemingly want to get under my skin. I thought—I thought you had gotten it that night. But then you fucking left and—” 

Uh-uh. Jeongguk has a hint of what he’s talking about. 

He doesn’t like it. He’s thinking about leaving again. 

Jeongguk kind of enjoys running away from his problems and then yells at himself for it at night. It’s nice and it works. Even if it’s frustrating.

“I didn’t know you were a wolf back then, so maybe you were a bit tipsy and weren't aware of what you’re doing. But wolves aren’t lightweights and I know you weren’t drunk. You were so fucking confident. You were so sure of what you were saying, and I thought—” Taehyung continues, having Jeongguk’s doe eyes fixed on him. He doesn’t even know what to say, though. “Honestly, I don’t know what I thought. Maybe I was just lying to myself. Maybe it was all in my head.”

Yeah. It’s exactly what Jeongguk was thinking. Taehyung is talking about their little makeout session in the party’s bathroom months ago. The same one they’ve never talked about afterwards.

“I—I didn't know what to do,” Jeongguk confesses, resting his back against the wall to avoid looking Taehyung in the eye. “You’re you and I’m a nobody . I’ve always been a nobody that no one really looked at. You’re cool even outside the field, and I’m just me. It doesn’t help that I'm a wolf and you're a hunter. We're meant to hate each other. I thought you hated me.”

“Don’t you get it? If I hated you because you're a wolf and I’m a hunter, I would have left you there to die,” Taehyung says, and he can feel his lingering gaze over him. “I don’t hate you, you idiot. I did, at first, but it was about lacrosse and our bickering was fun. You’re easy to get flustered.”

Taehyung makes sense and Jeongguk doesn’t like it when Taehyung makes sense. 

If it was any other moment, Jeongguk would have gotten up and yelled that he’s not an idiot. But it’s not any moment. They’re alone in the locker room after a thrilling game, probably still riding off the steam of running around the field for long minutes and winning at the end. Maybe they shouldn’t be talking about this right now, but Jeongguk is quite sure it’s just his flight or fight instincts acting up. 

“Taehyung-ssi…”

“Don’t call me like that, Jeongguk,” Taehyung interrupts him, and it’s time Jeongguk looks at him again. Why does it seem like it hurts him? “We’re no strangers, and I’m tired of this. You can call me hyung or whatever.”

“Isn’t this too complicated, hyung?” The words slip out of his mouth. They’re not even talking about feelings, but it’s hard. It’s too hard. “We’re on the same team. We’re from different worlds. I’m a wolf, you’re a hunter. How would that work?”

“I’ve stopped giving a fuck what my parents think a long time ago, Jeongguk,” Taehyung says, raising his brows. Of course, he did. He came to University on his own with Lacrosse, putting behind life as a hunter. “Everyone on the team knows I like men. They don’t care. I don’t care. Do you think they’ll care about you?”

“I don’t know,” Jeongguk whispers, licking between his lips. He’s about to confess something, “But no one knows, hyung. No one else knows. I’m—”

Jeongguk takes a deep breath, rubbing his face with both hands. “I’m sorry, I’m just—” 

“Jeongguk,” Taehyung calls him out, “Look at me.”

And he does. Jeongguk looks up and his eyes meet Taehyung’s face. He feels stupid. 

“I’m in love with you, Jeongguk.”

Oh .

Well, fuck. 

“And I think you feel the same for me,” Taehyung continues, not even waiting for a reply from Jeongguk. He’s serious and not wearing his annoying smirk. “You’re just too afraid of what everyone else thinks, and a bit too oblivious to see what is in front of you. I get it that you’re not out, but…”

But it doesn’t stop him from leaning in and kissing Taehyung. 

It doesn’t stop him from getting what he wants — kissing Taehyung as if they're not in a public locker room and anyone could walk in right now. So, he just does it with his hands around Taehyung’s neck and their lips locked together as if there’s no tomorrow. 

Jeongguk does it because Taehyung feels the same for him and they’re two stupid guys. Jeongguk for not allowing himself to feel what he feels, and Taehyung for just standing there waiting for Jeongguk to figure out on his own he was falling for him.

They should hate each other. Jeongguk should be afraid of Taehyung, but it doesn’t happen. The only thing that goes on is Taehyung’s hand moving up to his waist, pulling Jeongguk closer as he licks over his bottom lip, deepening the kiss with a big sigh. There are certain things that cannot be controlled, and this is one of them—Jeongguk wasn’t planning on falling for the Lacrosse team captain, just as he wasn’t planning on becoming a wolf. 

Life has a funny way of dictating their future, but Jeongguk thinks he’ll just enjoy how good Taehyung’s hands feel as he’s touching his bare skin. Long, warm fingers running up and down his back as Jeongguk breathes out, but without putting a stop on their kiss. He doesn’t want to let go. Not now that he’s finally kissing Taehyung and there’s no alcohol involved; it’s just them in that empty locker room and the fact that they’ve put an end to their clueless path. 

It doesn’t mean Jeongguk isn’t scared. 

He’s afraid of what’s to come—finals, the last game of the season, and the fucking rogue wolf that it’s still out there looking for him. However, there’s a whole Kim Taehyung in front of him and he’s not letting go of that. It’s the first time he’s experiencing some reciprocity when it comes to love, so Jeongguk is determined to hold on to that.

Jeongguk is still a bit dense, though, because he doesn’t realize he hasn’t said it back until much later. He’s been kissing Taehyung for what it feels to be minutes, but he hasn’t opened his mouth to tell him that he’s liked him all along. He’s better at showing than saying, but those words have been lingering inside him for so long, and he doesn’t think he can continue without saying them.

“Taehyung—” Jeongguk mumbles against Taehyung’s mouth, one hand on his chest to push him away a bit. There’s a squelching sound the moment Taehyung finally gives in, opening his eyes to stare at him. “Taehyung hyung.”

He’s annoyed. Of course he’s annoyed. That glare is called J eongguk has pissed me off , and Jeongguk himself has seen it more than anyone else. But maybe that one also means Taehyung is thinking about kissing the fuck out of him. Either way, Jeongguk won’t question him.

“I, uhm, I like you, too,” Jeongguk continues, in the hopes of changing Taehyung’s expression to a better one, but he grunts, winning only a confused frown. “No, that’s not the right one. That’s not what I want to say.”

“Jeongguk—” 

He’s interrupted, “I’m pretty sure I’m falling for you too, hyung. I can’t—I can’t stop thinking about you, and that night at Jiyoung's party I—I don’t have a lot of, uh...”

“Experience?” Taehyung tries to guess, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, that,” Jeongguk shakes his head. “And it scared me off. It was worse when I found out you’re a hunter. I didn’t think—I didn’t think we’d work out. Or that you’d ever like me. So I just tried to shut it off. It didn’t work, obviously, but… I just wanted to let you know I feel the same. I feel the same for you.”

There’s something that looks like relief in Taehyung’s eyes, but he still doesn’t look convinced. Instead of replying, he kisses Jeongguk again, long and slow, until Jeongguk sighs into it. He’s been waiting a long time for this, so he doesn’t even try to hold back from responding. When they break apart, Taehyung is beaming up at him, though. “So you do like me.”

Jeongguk nods, grinning back. “Yes, I definitely do.”

Next thing they know, they’re laughing and kissing again, and it doesn’t matter that Jeongguk’s wearing a towel and Taehyung is still shirtless—they’re feeling like two stupid boys who didn’t know what they’re doing until they get a chance to talk like two human beings after winning a game. 

Then, they’re on their way to Taehyung’s dorms because Jeongguk has two nosy roommates—and Jimin is at their partner’s apartment for the night and won’t come back until Monday afternoon, so Taehyung will be all alone. Just their kissing in the locker room wasn’t enough, especially when they got caught by the janitor who almost told them off for half-nudity in a public place, even if it was just the two of them there.

Taehyung’s hands slip around his neck, tugging him closer, and Jeongguk moans happily against his lips. The whole situation is perfect, really, except maybe for the fact that Jeongguk still needs to breathe after all the kissing they've been doing on the way to Taehyung's place. His back falls to the mattress and there's a whole Kim Taehyung on top of him like in his wildest dreams.

He wants to run his fingers through the hair on the back of Taehyung’s head and bring him closer. Put an end to any of the space existing between them, but all Jeongguk does is close his eyes gently and feel how good Taehyung's lips on his neck are. He sighs in contentment as he feels the other press a kiss on his collar bone. Jeongguk lets out another sound of pleasure when he realizes that Taehyung isn't going anywhere and has started to look up at his face, waiting for the wolf to notice it.

“Jeongguk, baby, tell me one thing,” Taehyung mutters, rubbing his nose gently against his cheeks for a second before standing right in front of him so they can talk while staring at each other. “That night at Jiyoung’s house. Have you ever done something like that before?”

Nice, cool, cool, cool, cool . Jeongguk is very much busted. So he blinks heavily, doe eyes shinning under the dark lights of the night. Did he even make it too obvious?

It’s going to be his walk of shame now. He doesn’t even need to bet on it. There’s nothing but a small lamp in the bedside table, so he’ll probably stumble over their shoes on his way out—he’s even planning it.

“Uh, no—” Jeongguk says, swallowing dryly. One of the reasons why he stormed out of there. Cool.  

In short, Jeongguk has lost his nerd status after gaining the Lacrosse jersey, but the awkwardness of it is still there. So it’s no wonder he’s almost putting all the pieces of his escapade ready in his head. It’s pretty clear what Taehyung wants tonight.

“Oh.”

It’s all Taehyung says. He doesn’t look surprised, but it doesn’t look like he was expecting that answer either. Kim Taehyung might be just as confusing as Jeongguk is, so he doesn’t know exactly what to say.

“Do you want me to leave?” Jeongguk mumbles, barely allowing his lips to move. It’s bewildering that he’s still looking into Taehyung’s eyes after that. 

“No,” Taehyung says, pushing his brows together. He’s still holding himself up with both hands and one knee between Jeongguk’s thighs. “Do you want to leave?”

Jeongguk shakes his head. “No.”

“Do you want to stop?”

“No, either,” Jeongguk replies with more enthusiasm in his voice. He doesn’t want to leave. He wants to stay there with Taehyung—kissing and rolling over his bed and whatever the fuck Taehyung is planning for tonight. 

But he gets why Taehyung is asking. It would be strange of him not to.

 “Then…” He pauses, biting his lower lip, and Jeongguk’s heart skips a beat. 

There’s a second of faint silence. Taehyung’s lips are red from the kiss and he’s smiling a little, enough to have Jeongguk palming at his neck and pushing him down for another kiss. This time, though, it’s slower and less frantic, so much better than the first one. It’s soft and warm and a bit more of what Jeongguk imagined it would be like. He’d be content staying like this forever with Taehyung touching his bare skin and the rest of the night ahead of them.

Jeongguk’s eyes flutter shut when Taehyung starts unbuttoning his jeans because it makes it more real. They're not kissing anymore, but Jeongguk’s nails dig into Taehyung's back and he breathes out loudly, almost moaning, but he manages to muffle it by closing his lips. This is it. It's all happening now, and Jeongguk’s hips arch up to his touch, especially when his pants move down his legs and Taehyung's hands are all over his waist and bare thighs.

“Is this okay?” Taehyung asks, leaning away from Jeongguk. He’s breathing hard as well, and Jeongguk doesn't think he has ever looked more gorgeous with the lights of the moon and the small lamp hitting on both sides of his face.

“Yeah,” Jeongguk mumbles, swallowing down a moan. "Yeah," Jeongguk mumbles, swallowing down a moan. He doesn't know if it’s Taehyung's touches or the fact that he keeps checking up on him all the time that it's doing for him, maybe it's both, but he's not going to think about that right now, not when Taehyung is removing his shirt. “God, yes.”

Taehyung smiles wider and leans in on top of him again. He licks along Jeongguk's bottom lip until he opens his mouth and he slips his tongue inside. Jeongguk closes his eyes, feeling like the world will come crashing down around him if he opens them again.

 He feels lightheaded and dizzy and he loves it. Taehyung kisses him softly and sweetly and Jeongguk thinks he could get used to being kissed by him forever. He hates himself for pushing this for so long. He could have had more of those lips for months now, but, again, Jeongguk isn't going to pity himself now that he's with both hands on the hem of Taehyung's shorts and pulling them down.

The kiss goes on for a while, long enough for Jeongguk to lose track of everything else. This time, it’s only them in Taehyung’s bedroom — it’s not a shitty bathroom, nor the locker room, so he doesn't have to hold back as Taehyung grinds against him and he finally feels how hard he actually is. 

He moans quietly, his hand reaching for Taehyung’s dick through his boxers and it's hot, so fucking hot that Jeongguk doesn't even know how to explain it. His fingers are trembling slightly but Taehyung takes over and he groans, trying his best to push into Taehyung's grip as Taehyung continues to stroke his cock over the thin layer of Jeongguk's underwear. It's messy and a bit complicated, but they’re not the ones to complain now.

The friction feels great and Jeongguk tries his best to push into Taehyung’s hands. If he can get his arms around his waist then everything will fall into place, and that’ll be the end of it- he’ll come without much more, because he’s too excited and too horny for his own good. That’s what he thought until Taehyung breaks away to remove Jeongguk’s boxers himself, leaving him completely exposed under the dim lights.

Jeongguk gasps, watching Taehyung's lips curving into a cocky smile. He looks really good with his hair all messy and eyes hooded and his chest rising and falling with every breath. Jeongguk has seen him naked before, but never so… naked. Never like this. It’s different. It's so much different from the locker room and that one time in the bathroom.

His heart is hammering in his chest. Jeongguk feels the good type of vulnerable.

“You’re such a brat on the field, Jeongguk-ah,” Taehyung comments, bringing one of his hands up to remove the strands of hair out of Jeongguk’s forehead. “Where did that player go?”

“Fuck you, Taehyung,” Jeongguk hisses, tugging his eyebrows. 

There’s a chuckle coming from Taehyung’s lips and Jeongguk shrugs. He bites back a moan as he feels Taehyung running a finger down the side of his face until he’s holding his chin between his thumb and forefinger, it’s a nice and gentle gesture, but Jeongguk thinks he’s getting a bit neglected down there and he’s not liking it. 

Taehyung’s eyes are scanning over Jeongguk's stare as if he’s trying to capture and remember every single inch of his face.  He smiles and leans forward to kiss Jeongguk again, his fingers digging into Jeongguk’s thighs, sliding up until he’s cupping his asscheek. Jeongguk can feel Taehyung’s cock pressing against his stomach, hard and heavy.

 “Your face was too pretty when you were playing against SNU,” Taehyung mumbles, kissing behind his ear. “But I think you look better now, almost begging for me to touch you.”

Jeongguk nods and shivers, his mouth opening slightly at Taehyung’s words. He wants to say something, anything to stop Taehyung, but all he manages to do is make an unintelligible sound of protest. Taehyung smiles knowingly and kisses his throat, fingers digging  into the flesh of his ass. 

The sensation is foreign to Jeongguk, who’s only ever kissed people he liked back in high school and it never went forward. It was never someone who wanted him like Taehyung wants him right now. His lips are wet, warm and plump against his skin and Jeongguk thinks he could come from that feeling only, but both Taehyung and him want more. 

“Hyung,” Jeongguk murmurs, tugging on Taehyung’s hair slightly to bring his attention back to Jeongguk’s eyes, who’s looking straight into his eyes. “Can you just…”

 His cheeks feel hot and he feels lightheaded, even though his body has no intention of complying with what he asks of Taehyung, “...stop teasing me?”

Taehyung smiles brightly, hands sliding up his hips until he reaches Jeongguk’s waist. “Sure thing.”

Then he’s out of the bed, stealing lube from Jimin’s drawer and getting a package of condoms before getting back on the bed with Jeongguk.

Their hands roam each other’s bodies, touching their faces and mouths and Jeongguk can't quite believe this is real. He’s not dreaming and that he’s in fact having sex with a guy he's in love with — Taehyung is holding himself together and going in Jeongguk's time, it’s impossible not to notice, but it’s nice and it feels like everything they were talking about back in the locker room was real. Jeongguk isn’t used to that.

“You ready?” Taehyung asks, leaning down to press his forehead against Jeongguk’s. “We don't need to go through every step, if you're not comfortable.”

“No, it's okay. Continue. Please,” Jeongguk replies, squeezing Taehyung's shoulder lightly and hoping it means he’s ready. He doesn’t know exactly what he’s doing but he hopes his instincts are right.

It’s so different to see Taehyung speaking gently to him, and it only has Jeongguk  wanting more of him. So it’s no wonder Jeongguk closes his eyes as Taehyung puts lube on his fingers, making sure they’re well dampened and covered. Then he opens his eyes to watch Taehyung work. Jeongguk tries to pay attention, focusing on Taehyung’s movements rather than how amazing it feels when Taehyung takes him into his mouth to take away some of Jeongguk’s nervousness.

 He likes the feeling, the way Taehyung’s mouth works around his cock, the way his tongue moves over him like he’s been waiting for the opportunity all along. He likes the way Taehyung looks up at him while doing it. There’s something hypnotic about his expression, a little bit dazed, a lot focused on his job and on Jeongguk’s face as he clenches around one, two, and then three of his fingers as he stretches him slowly.

“Oh fuck, baby, you're so tight,” Taehyung says pulling away from his cock, as he thrusts his fingers slowly, keeping one hand on Jeongguk’s thigh as he slides another one inside.

Jeongguk moans again, his hips bucking up instinctively into Taehyung’s palm as he continues working him with his fingers, the friction sending a pleasurable wave through Jeongguk, who’s quick to breath out a muffled moan. He grabs onto Taehyung’s biceps, trying to ground himself, keep control. The feeling is overwhelming and he knows, just knows, that if he lets himself be lost within it, he will drown. He’ll forget everything and become completely pliant under Taehyung’s touch after he comes so easily on his fingers.

“Fuck, babe,” Taehyung groans, eyes perking up as he starts to lose track of time. His voice turns hoarse and he grips Jeongguk’s thigh tighter, pulling out slowly, watching the way Jeongguk's eyes flicker open shortly after. “Come here. You’re just—”

Taehyung’s words trail off and he pulls Jeongguk close, pressing their chests together, breathing heavily. Jeongguk is sure that there's a bright red flush spreading across his face, but he can barely register it when Taehyung starts kissing him again and both his arms cover his shoulders to hold him close. He feels like he was left at the edge of coming and wants to punch Taehyung for that, but Jeongguk kisses him back with a fervor he didn’t know he had, wrapping his legs around Taehyung’s hips to pull him closer too.

It feels wonderful to let Taehyung take care of him, his hands stroking up and down his sides, his lips against his own, moving languidly against his neck. He can feel Taehyung’s cock rubbing against his rim, and Jeongguk breathes in over his lips, letting both hands fall to his lower back. Taehyung makes a noise, sounding needy and pleased when Jeongguk’s hands move down the length of him, his fingers gliding gently over his leaking cock, making him moan quietly in response. 

They're staring at each other now, foreheads pressed together, lips swollen and Jeongguk's steady hand guides Taehyung into sliding inside him slowly. Neither of them speak, Jeongguk savoring the moment because Taehyung’s eyes shine with lust and he's flushed, a little bit breathless, as if he’d run for miles. He looks beautiful with his messy hair and flushed cheeks. Jeongguk focuses on it— on how Taehyung’s eyes reflect the light of the moon and how the seriousness of Captain Kim has gone away, giving space for thoughtful Taehyung.

And then, suddenly, Taehyung’s fingers find his mouth and Jeongguk's mouth opens without thought, tongue sweeping against his hyung’s digits and sucking on them hungrily as Taehyung continues thrusting into him with no rush. Inch by inch filling Jeongguk's walls, and he moans around Taehyung’s digits

 “Fuck.” His hips jerk slightly and Jeongguk lets out a low whine at the feeling, squeezing Taehyung’s ass gently as he clenches over his cock. “Holy shit. Okay. Do you want more?”

Jeongguk hums, nodding slightly without parting their shared stare. It feels a bit weird to have something other than a couple of his own fingers and a few toys he ordered online, but it’s also good, and warm and it comes with Taehyung’s hazed eyes looking at him and his hands moving down his leg to grip on his thigh. It’s better, it’s so much better than his digits and what he’d quickly do in the quietness of his bathroom. 

To be honest, it still feels like Jeongguk is going to wake up tomorrow and realize this is all a dream, but for now he chooses to enjoy the moan that comes out of his throat exactly after Taehyung’s fingers are out of his mouth. Taehyung’s cock hits his sweet spot a little faster and a little harder, and Jeongguk can’t control himself, his eyes are pressed shut and lips are stifled by Taehyung’s mouth on his, swallowing the call for his name.

“Taehyung— Tae,” Jeongguk mumbles as their messy kiss ends, and Taehyung’s face is buried in his neck. “Hyung, I wanna try something.”

“Yeah?” Taehyung says, pulling away a bit so he can look into Jeongguk's face.

The expression on his face is one of curiosity and a hint of worry, especially when Jeongguk makes them turn around on the bed, so Taehyung is supported on his elbows with a lap full of Jeongguk. 

They’re naked, the bed is a mess and the walls are too thin, but there’s nothing else they’re more focused on than each other. So Jeongguk guesses it’s because Taehyung’s too startled by him that he doesn’t even bother to utter a word as he sees Jeongguk sinking down on his cock swiftly, both hands on the Captain’s shoulders for more support.

Jeonggukcan tell from the way his eyes widen, how hard his breath is hitting his chest, how he holds back his groan when he starts to bob his head a bit from bouncing slightly and press his hips back in time to Taehyung’ thrusts, that Taehyung doesn't mind it at all. 

He gasps softly, and Jeongguk lets him do whatever he wants with his hands — grip on his sensitive nipples, waist and pull down his hair a  little when he’s tired of playing with his asscheeks. Jeongguk doesn’t even care, his eyes are fluttering open and closed in pleasure as his head tilts just enough for Taehyung to bite on his neck. He bites on it just right under his earlobe before letting it go and licks it once, then twice.

A few other thrusts and Jeongguk’s cock twitches, leaking more pre-come between them, and his stomach feels a bit heavy. He’s sure that there’s sweat dripping down his back and face,  but he can't move and focus on anything other than the feel of Taehyung’s cock deep inside of him and the soft noises he's making. He doesn’t want to break this moment for a while, not when he's so close and Taehyung’s fingers are wrapped around his cock so gently and moving so slow and— Jeongguk whimpers, his head falling back as he arches further up and lowers down abruptly with a pant.

 His eyes shoot open as they meet Taehyung’s gaze through hazy lashes and his lips part slightly. Jeongguk whispers hoarsely as Taehyung continues to rub him against the side of his shaft while he sucks on his neck, and then they’re lying over the mattress. They’re both needier and more desperate than before, Jeongguk's body still trembling, jitters creeping down his back, and Taehyung’s hand is moving faster. It strokes his balls now and Jeongguk gasps out loud. The bed frame creaks and Jeongguk’s back arches off of the mattress again as he finally ends up coming between their stomachs and Taehyung’s palm.

The high hits Jeongguk hard and fast and he closes his eyes, holding back a moan by biting on his inner cheeks, as he grips the sheets behind Taehyung’s head. He’s sure the older has his smug smile displayed on his face, but Jeongguk waits for his ragged breathing to calm down before looking at him again. Jeongguk can see beads of sweat clinging to his forehead even though there’s a fan turned on and the window isn’t completely closed. Taehyung's cheeks are flushed and he's barely even blinking, which brings a soft grin to Jeongguk's lips once he starts kissing him again. 

Jeongguk smiles lazily and runs his hand along Taehyung’s naked arm until he reaches his hand and holds it, interlocking their fingers as he sinks down on his cock again, bringing a stifled moan to Taehyung’s lips. Jeongguk lets himself be fucked until his legs start shaking and he's a whimpery mess — if he was with a clear mind, he would laugh in the face of the Jeongguk from six months ago. Instead, his only thought is that Taehyung’s hands feel good on his ass and he wants more, even after he’s all worn out and sore. 

Good thing they don’t have a match tomorrow , Jeongguk thinks by the time Taehyung finally comes and they’re making out on the bed, swollen lips and itchy breathing filling the room.  It’s an unhurried kiss, which they’re both tired, and Jeonguk still feels his stomach a bit giddy and his muscles trembling from all the running and riding, but it's so good to be with Taehyung like that he doesn’t want to stop. 

If anything, he wants to have Taehyung curled up against his chest and their arms wrapped around each other like the romantic movies he sees and all the daydreaming he does—he won’t mention it to Taehyung or anyone else, though. But he feels content with staring fondly at Taehyung’s face when they’re too tired to continue kissing, but not so tired to the point of falling asleep right now.

“I hope you know I’m not going to stop following you around right now,” Taehyung whispers, trying to fix his pillow with only one hand. The other is a bit too busy resting over Jeongguk’s waist, and the wolf hopes it’s a sign he wasn’t awful. “You’re not getting rid of me.”

“I wasn’t planning on wishing for that,” Jeongguk replies quietly. His throat feels a bit hoarse, but it’s probably from all the screaming in the game and his moaning minutes ago. “But you are annoying when you do that.”

“It’s one of my good traits.”

Jeongguk rolls his eyes and turns to lie flatly on his back while observing the ceiling. “It’s a bad trait. And it’s weird.”

“No one will care if they know we’re together.”

Then, silence fills the room. It’s mostly Jeongguk thinking about nothing, and not analyzing what Taehyung said, but he frowns either way. They’re not even dating yet. So, a bit more complicated for Jeongguk’s self-conscious and overthinking brain, which is probably not Taehyung’s case. He doesn’t care to tell anyone he’s hooking up with a boy. He’s out, though, and Jeongguk never really thought much about it. Coming out, he means.

 He recalls he did tell Taehyung that no one knows much about him—no wolf, no sexuality, not, uh, much of anything, honestly. Jeongguk never thought it mattered.

“Can we—” Jeongguk mumbles, glancing at him. “Can we keep this between us for a while? Just until I’m ready to tell people?”

“Yeah,” Taehyung shuffles on the bed, clearing his throat. “Sure. Yeah. We can. I wasn’t trying to—” 

Jeongguk continues, forcing out a smile. “I know.”

Taehyung looks at him. The look is soft, warm, tender. A hint of affection in his expression. It takes Jeongguk aback because he’s not used to it. There’s no need for such feelings, and yet he feels so warm. 

It doesn’t go down exactly like Jeongguk was planning to, though. Nothing ever does.

He’s awakened by the sound of something falling on the floor, already thinking it was Namjoon and his clumsy self during the morning, Jeongguk doesn’t care much for him and only turns on the bed. His head touches Taehyung’s chest and he hums, but then a frown appears between his eyebrows. He doesn’t open his eyes, but he can smell him, and he doesn’t think this is his bedroom.

They're both still naked and mushy, and Jeongguk thinks he’ll spend the rest of the day with his head on cloud 9 for the well-enjoyed night and the thrill of finally confessing his feelings. The light from the window makes their skin glow and Jeongguk feels hungry, but…Kim Taehyung?

“I really fucking hate the two of you. Fucking hell.”

It’s Jimin’s voice and then another laughter fills the room. Taehyung. It’s Taehyung laughing.

“Why are you fucking laughing, you asshole? You’re gonna wake him up,” Jimin continues, and something is thrown on Taehyung. “And I wasn’t thinking of seeing your fucking dick first thing in the morning after you used my lube. Seriously. I really hate you and now Jeongguk is also on my hate list.”

Jeongguk hums again, and this time, he opens his eyes and touches Taehyung’s arm, slowly coming back to life to face Jimin’s pissed stare at them. He’s holding the empty bottle of lube and almost crossing his arms in front of his chest for dramatic effect. 

“I knew this little feud between you was because you wanted to fuck each other stupid and were too clueless to notice at first, but…” Jimin continues, seeing that Jeongguk isn’t exactly asleep anymore. “Boundaries. Fucking boundaries. At least tell me you’re butt-naked in our dorms before I arrive.”

Jeongguk turns his head from Jimin to look at Taehyung, with a raised eyebrow. Wasn't Jimin only coming back during the night? He looks tired, as if he hadn’t slept a wink last night, but Jeongguk is still lost between his sleepy state and what is happening in front of him—what do you mean Taehyung’s roommate and best friend has seen them naked?

“Good morning, Jeongguk-ah,” Jimin mumbles, noticing the confusion in his eyes. “Your new boyfriend is an asshole and I hope you’re already aware of that. You’re buying me a new bottle, Taehyung.”

“Yeah, sure, I'll buy you a new one,” Taehyung says, throwing his head back on the pillow and he covers his eyes with his forearm. “Can I sleep again? I didn’t sleep until late. 'Was busy.” 

“Oh, god,” Jimin groans, rolling his eyes as he turns on his heels to grab his backpack, and Jeongguk chuckles. It comes out on his own, and he can’t control it—maybe it’s too early and he’s sleep-deprived. “You two are really awful. Like. The worst. I’m never coming back here again. Bye.”

 And then he exits their dorm, slamming the door behind himself. It's not enough to fully wake Jeongguk up, and certainly not enough to have him noticing what had just happened. But it's enough to have him snuggling against Taehyung's arms to go back to sleep until after midday—there's no class today in celebration of the game, so he doesn't even bother caring about messing up his sleep-schedule. 

Later on, when Jeongguk wakes up properly, he does realize what happened. Jimin, who fits in the categories of Taehyung’s roommate and best friend, has just found out the two of them had sex and were some sort of together—also, he knew about their stupid love-banter?

It does give him a brain freeze, but Jimin doesn’t seem like a bad person from the little he knows about him. From what Taehyung tells him, Jimin is always too busy with his studies and a part-time job to start saving money so he can stay in Seoul by himself by the time he’s done with university. It has Jeongguk thinking about his future, because even though he’s planning on going back to Busan to build a clinic, he doesn’t actually have the means for that and doesn’t have a back up plan, so maybe he should start thinking about that soon—it’s only his first semester studying to be a veterinarian, but time passes by quickly.

“Do you have plans on what you want to do when you graduate?” Jeongguk asks. It’s one of the few times they’re having a normal conversation without any passive-aggressive comments about each other.

They’re in a café outside the campus to have brunch, Jeongguk’s wearing Taehyung’s clothes since he wasn’t planning on staying the night; he doesn’t regret it, though, he likes how Taehyung’s clothes smell, like his perfume and how they seem to wear the same size, even if Jeongguk’s more of a fan of oversized clothes. 

“Realistically, it’s going back home to the family business,” Taehyung replies, putting down his hot chocolate. It turns out Taehyung isn’t much of a fan of coffee and prefers sweeter drinks. “But I wanted to stay here in Seoul like Jimin. I’m majoring in Education with a minor in Literature, so… I don’t know, maybe find a regular job and just live my life as if I don’t know how to shoot a gun.”

Jeongguk chokes, and Taehyung’s eyes widen. He wasn’t expecting that.

“Uh, sorry,” Taehyung chuckles, seeing Jeongguk coughing a little and then cleaning his lips with a napkin. “Sometimes I forget that not everyone’s used to it—everyone around me was also a hunter, and we’d speak about it freely. I’m aware of it at school, but here I just kind of forget. But, yeah, I don’t think I have actual plans like Jimin does. He left hunting for good and cut ties with his parents when they weren’t supportive of it. Luckily, his mother regretted it and reached out to him to apologize, but he’s not going back either way.”

“Oh, Jimin hyung’s also a hunter?” Jeongguk frowns, feeling a bit uncomfortable. “I didn’t know that.”

How many hunters are around him and he’s not even aware of them? 

What the fuck?

“Yeah, he is. I always thought I had told you about this,” Taehyung answers, grabbing a cinnamon muffin until he sees the look in Jeongguk’s eyes, so he stops mid-way and places it back on the plate. “He’s a hunter from Busan. We met here in college, we’ve been roommates since day one. I found out because he used to sleep with a knife under his pillow and it scared the fuck out of me when I saw it. But don’t worry, I didn’t tell him about you, he doesn’t know you’re a wolf. It’s not my place to tell, but I do agree you should tell your friends about it. They’ll discover it eventually.”

Jeongguk sighs in relief. It’s a bit too much to know that there’s another hunter in his life and that maybe, he had discovered about him being a wolf without Jeongguk being able to control it. He remembers what Taehyung told him a few weeks back—the sun, the moon and the truth not being able to be kept hidden for a long time. Maybe he was right.

“Last night—” Taehyung trails off, having Jeongguk’s eyes perking up to look at him. Talk about last night. Interesting.  “Your eyes were turning back and forth from red. I thought it was hot, but it could’ve startled someone else who didn’t know.”

Of course, Jeongguk would be the one to ignore half of that phrase.

He smirks. “You thought it was hot?”

“Yeah,” Taehyung chuckles, leaning over the table to take Jeongguk’s chin between his fingers. “Big bad wolf so pliant under my touch? Hot.”

The words come out a little too softly for what is being said, and Taehyung’s thumb brushes against Jeongguk’s cheekbone as their eyes are glued on each other, neither of them moving an inch in complete silence. His words make Jeongguk blush harder with a smile—he can’t even deny he’s an introverted mess who’s not used to this; he’s not used to someone being so into him to the point of looking at him like that, with eyes filled with desire even after they spent the entire night together. 

Although Jeongguk tries to hide it by shrugging a shoulder and biting his bottom lip, Taehyung notices. It makes him grin wider. The corners of Jeongguk’s lips tug into a pout as Taehyung reaches out to peck them, not even caring if they're in public.

“I should kick you under the table for doing this so out in the open,” Jeongguk whispers, observing him through his lashes. Right now, Taehyung has the perfect face of the cocky jock from university that Jeongguk swore he would avoid being close to. Look where that got him. “You really are an ass.”

Taehyung only laughs as Jeongguk looks at him accusingly, the tip of his nose scrunching up with a scowl. Jeongguk shakes his head, and sits back on his chair to continue eating as he avoids thinking that Namjoon is quite right and he’s also a jock now — one in denial, sure, but still one. He’d be lying if he said he doesn’t like being on the field with an entire crowd cheering his name when he scores. The adrenaline rush that comes with winning—that, and having to listen to his classmates gossip about how good their moves were.

“Do you…” Jeongguk starts off, and then takes a deep breath. He thinks too much about everything sometimes. “Do you think Coach will have a problem with this?”

And by this he means whatever is going on between Taehyung and him. Relationships within the same team are considered to be trouble from what Jeongguk has heard—but again, he was never in any official teams, and people would choose him during Physical Education because he’s a quick learner.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” Taehyung says, clicking his tongue on the roof of his mouth. “I don’t think it has happened before. Most of the guys are straight, and even if they aren’t, they don’t show it off at school, so we don’t know. There was never any open relationship between two players, though, but we’re not there yet, so… I don’t think we have to tell him right now? We’ll play the final match this semester and nothing will get in its way. It’s going to be a future us problem. Just focus on your game for now.”

Jeongguk swallows dryly. He knows Taehyung is right, but he can’t help thinking about it. 

Coach Lee knows they have some sort of strange rivalry going on that came out of nowhere and that, lately, they have raised their white flags at least on the field and are playing nicely. But that doesn’t mean Jeongguk will stop feeling nervous about it—mostly because it’s the first good thing he’s having in his life, and he doesn’t want to ruin it. And he’s also in love with Taehyung, so there’s that.

He looks down, fingers running through his hair. “Sorry for bringing that up out of the blue. It’s just—it’s hard to think about it. I don’t know what is going to happen, and I don’t like the feeling of that. There are already too many problems in my life.”

Oh, yes. The rogue wolf again, and they still have no idea where it is. But sometimes Jeongguk feels like he’s being followed and it’s not just the one and only Kim Taehyung appearing to be a pain in his ass. He hasn’t told Taehyung or Seokjin about it, though. Maybe he should.

“Don’t say sorry,” Taehyung says, reaching out to take his hand. “I’ll call Seokjin hyung to check if we can lessen those problems—it’s the main thing right now. Then we can talk about Coach Lee, and what this, us, can become.”

Telling his friends is the new topic troubling Jeongguk’s life right now. It's only the Thursday after Sunday’s semifinal game, but Jeongguk can’t concentrate on his studies because he keeps thinking about the fact that Hoseok, Namjoon, and Yoongi still don’t know he’s a wolf.

Ever since Seokjin and Taehyung found out about this part of his life, Jeongguk has been trying to think of ways to tell the other three about this other part of his identity. It’s something a little sensitive, because he doesn’t have the slightest idea if the three of them know about the existence of the supernatural (which, for some people is normal), or if they know and hate supernatural beings, or if they just don't care about what he means.

Technically, Seokjin has been with them a lot longer and should know about it, after all, he's a hunter and he's probably tipped his friends off about it. However, Jeongguk never got around to talking to him about it and that's exactly why he called Seokjin to meet him at the library that afternoon.

The idea of just showing up at the dorm in his wolf form with his tail wagging doesn't sound too good, so Kim Seokjin will be his saving grace in making that revelation a not-so-big issue.

And look Jeongguk was thinking about not letting anyone know about it when he got to university.

“I think you're thinking too much about this, Jeongguk-ah,” Seokjin says, throwing his bag to the ground after Jeongguk vents all his worries to him. “Don't show up at the dorm as a wolf, but don't put too much pressure on it either. They must take it in stride. It's not like that changes much. You'll still keep beating them at UNO and Yoongi will say you're stealing, while Namjoon and Hoseok don't understand anything that happened in the middle of the game.”

“Do they know you are a hunter?” Jeongguk asks, a little hopeful.

“...no,” Seokjin mutters, raising an eyebrow.

The result is Jeongguk hiding his face in his arms resting on the table, wishing he had never been bitten by that wolf.

Their two weeks of final exams get in the way of Jeongguk when it comes to whatever decision he would have to make on the subject of telling his friends that he is a wolf. All of them are too busy with their studies and, in Jeongguk's case, college and lacrosse practice.

The last championship game is on the Sunday after the last final test, so he's splitting into three to manage to reconcile everything and not fail in the subjects and also maintain his physical condition for the game. In three because a certain Kim Taehyung has been added to the equation and Jeongguk doesn't want to let him go one bit—mainly because neither lacrosse nor his biology book will kiss him the way Taehyung does.

So Jeongguk is a little chipped, but it's for a little while.

Jimin is the only one who knows that the two are going out, so they often stay at Taehyung's dorm when they find some free time after studying for their literature subject; which is not much. At other times, he has lunch with Yoongi and Namjoon, and bumps into Hoseok and Seokjin in the library sometimes, and when he's in his dorm, he ends up passing out on his bed from how tired he is.

That is, Jeongguk doesn't remember exactly when he managed to gather all his friends in one place just to talk. They are all extremely tired and stressed about the tests and their outings have been nothing more than just groaning and complaining about different subjects.

On the Saturday before the end of the championship, Jeongguk spends the entire day on the field with the rest of the team. The Coach doesn't want there to be any errors in the next game; they can’t risk any single error tomorrow night, or they’ll lose first place and go back home with a silver medal on their necks and the promise of winning the following season. Neither of the players wants that, so they keep reviewing their missed shots so that they can work them out. 

It’s a little bit of a lighter training so that the players’ muscles aren’t too worn out the next day, but Jeongguk tries to be as focused as possible. This time, the coach doesn’t separate them into different teams than they will play the next day—he already puts them as the main team, with Taehyung as the captain and each one in a certain position and the reserve team following the team’s way of Yonsei to play.

Even though it’s not the main match yet, Jeongguk already feels a little apprehensive with a bunch of butterflies bothering his stomach. That game could define his future in the team and Jeongguk wants to stay for the next semester — although Taehyung has already repeated several times that it is clearly impossible for the coach to want to give up on him being in the team. Jeongguk is fast, agile, quick-thinking and has wonderful reflexes, so even if the result is bad the next day, he will remain one of the main strikers alongside Taehyung.

“I was feeling like shit before my first final played, too. I thought I would break my ankle right before the start of the game and ruin everything,” Taehyung says after practice is over and they're alone in his dorm. Jeongguk's hair is still wet and it's too late for it to dry naturally and he’s not quite sure how those words are supposed to make him feel better. “I didn’t break my ankle, but my team lost. It’s something that happens and you get used to it. As the captain of the team, I wouldn't be telling you this because I fucking want to win tomorrow, but it's the truth. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. There’s no way to control it, but I do think we’re prepared and we’ll do good tomorrow.”

 He looks at Jeongguk from across the room, the soft moonlight coming from the open windows reflecting off his eyes to show him a strange combination of tiredness and sympathy and maybe even empathy and concern all twisted together into one. Jeongguk sighs, and his chest feels heavy. 

“I just don’t want to mess up tomorrow,” Jeongguk mumbles, using a small towel to try and dry his hair. “I don’t want to be the reason why we lose.”

“And you won't be,” Taehyung shakes his head, sitting back down over Jeongguk's thighs so he can wrap his arms around his shoulders. He pulls Jeongguk in close. “There’s no ‘I’ in a team, as cliche as that might sound. If we lose, it’s going to be a team error, but you have to promise me that you’ll never tell the other players I told you this. I have a reputation to keep, and you need to relax.”

“Okay.” Jeongguk smiles, leans further into Taehyung's embrace, wrapping his hands on his waist and kisses him. “But I’m definitely telling everyone about this.”

“Fuck off,” Taehyung groans, pulling his hair a little as he dives back into Jeongguk's lips. 

 But there is no malice to his words, just affection, and Jeongguk didn’t think Taehyung would be as good in making him forget about his worries as he’s good in making him lose his mind at times. So he doesn’t feel bad about how his tongue slips out and runs along Taehyung’s bottom lip until Taehyung opens up to him willingly, lets him in with his lips and teeth and tongue. Jeongguk smiles against his mouth when they pull apart, and leans back, hands dipping into his shirt to feel the warmth of his skin. 

Until Jeongguk’s phone starts ringing in his pocket. He frowns, and doesn’t stop kissing Taehyung, but his hand slips into his pocket and eyes art open slightly to see the word ‘Mom’ on the caller ID. He stops kissing him, and frowns more deeply as Taehyung stares at his face.

“It's my mom,” Jeongguk whispers, showing his phone's screen to him before picking it up. “Hi, mom. What’s up?”

“Oh, hey, sweetie!” His mother sounds tired but she still has some energy. “I just wanted to check up on you. It's been such a long time since we last spoke, and the big game is tomorrow and I am definitely going to Seoul to watch it. I’ve bought my train tickets already.”

There’s an excited rush in her voice, her breathless tone giving Jeongguk goosebumps because he knows he hasn't told her about Taehyung - or to Taehyung that she's coming up to Seoul to watch their game tomorrow. Jeongguk blinks softly and smiles a little towards him.

“I’m fine, mom. Do you want me to pick you up tomorrow?”

“That’d be great, Jeongguk-ah, but are you sure it won't get in the way of your warm up? I don't know how those things work,” she says and Jeongguk chuckles a little. It's a first for her too, and Taehyung seems confused after Jeongguk mouths I’m sorry . “If it won't work out, you can relax and I’ll take a cab. I don't want to steal you from your team.”

Jeongguk hums in acknowledgement. “Don’t worry about it too much, mom. I’ll be okay, don't worry. If I don’t make it, I can ask a few friends to pick you up at the station. They heard a lot about you and wouldn’t say no.”

“Sounds perfect, Jeongguk-ah.” She sounds content, and it’s like Jeongguk can see her smiling on the other side of the line. “You’re my favorite son, I hope you know that.”

“I'm your only son, Jeon Minah,” Jeongguk points out, frowning at the muffled chuckle Taehyung lets out. “What is this about now?”

“You pay attention to silly details, Jeongguk. Who cares if you're my only son? I’ll take it back and say you’re my annoying son,” she mumbles with a scoff. “I have to finish packing, and you’re probably tired. I’ll leave you to it, and we'll see each other tomorrow, okay? Love you.”

“Love you too, bye!” Jeongguk mumbles, and his mom ends the call, leaving him to stare at his phone for a second. His eyes perk up as he places his phone on the bedside table, finding Taehyung’s curious gaze over him while still sitting over his lap. “Where were we?”

“Nowhere,” Taehyung replies, shaking his head as he moves off Jeongguk’s legs. “Sex slows down our performance, and we have to be one hundred percent better tomorrow.”

“Oh, c’mon,” Jeongguk groans, throwing himself on the mattress so he’s lying on his side with Taehyung sitting in front of him. “I thought that was only valid for fighters? We’re lacrosse players.”

Taehyung gets back on his feet and takes Jeongguk’s towel. “It’s valid for everyone who plays sports—fighters or not. So, no sex tonight because we want to focus on the final tomorrow, plus, your mom’s coming, isn’t she? Do you wanna mess up in front of her?”

“You’re an asshole,” Jeongguk says, watching Taehyung wiggling his brows sheepishly at his suffering. 

“And you’re hungry for my dick.”

“What if I am? Huh?” He shoots back, squinting a little at Taehyung after he’s done hanging the towel over his wardrobe’s door. However, Taehyung only snorts and glances back at him.  “Can we just finish making out first?”

Taehyung smiles, moving back to sit against the headboard of the bed behind Jeongguk. He wraps his arms around his waist, nuzzling into Jeongguk’s neck before kissing it tenderly. “You’re a brat.”

Jeongguk snorts, turning onto his side to face Taehyung properly as they continue their makeout session, hands roaming through each other’s hair and lips trailing down to the other's shoulders, following the lines of his sleeveless shirt. He's no one to deny Taehyung's statement, but he's happy with their kisses for now.

“I’ll fuck you tomorrow, with the gold medal hanging from your neck,” Taehyung whispers against his lips. There’s a twitch on Jeongguk’s cock and he has to try really hard to not get hard and jump onto Taehyung right now. 

“I’m gonna fucking—” Jeongguk starts, but Taehyung kisses him again and he forgets about the rest of the world. 

Sunday arrives and Jeongguk wakes up nervous. He’s in Taehyung’s bed, but as soon as they're both up, he decides to head back to his dorm building to rest a little longer until it’s time to pick up his mom at the train station—and try to think of something that it’s not Taehyung with his shirt off, his face all mashed up from the pillow, his hair messed up and, well, at the lacrosse match later that night.

From what the coach said, they don't need to be together on the field after lunch, after all, even though the game is only at 7h10 pm and there is time until then. Then, Jeongguk says goodbye to Taehyung and goes back to his room, where Namjoon is still sleeping with his arms around a pillow and Hyunjin is not there like always.

He sighs, kicks off his shoes and flops down on his bed. It’s just after seven o’clock in the morning, and he can sleep more until his alarm clock goes off at nine-thirty— his mother's train isn't due in Seoul until ten-thirty, so until she disembarks with her bags and finds the right terminal it will be eleven o’clock. Enough time for Jeongguk to wake up, take a quick shower and eat something on the way there since it’s closeby.

However, just minutes before his alarm clock goes off, Jeongguk wakes up with a start to his cell phone vibrating under his pillow. He frowns and, without even opening his eyes, he takes the device and unlocks it through his hooded eyes.

Coach Lee [sent @ 9h25am]

I WANT EVERYONE ON THE FIELD BY 10AM

I have just heard Yonsei is changing their players last minute and we have to review it

Come on we have only so little time to practice this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@all

I want no complaints come ON

WE NEED THIS TROPHY

WAKE THE FUCK UP

I’ll have Ryu calling everyone right NOW

Coach Ryu [sent @ 9h27am]

Please don’t make me do this

Kim Taehyung [sent @ 9h29]

K

Jeongguk groans and throws his head back on the pillow. There goes all of his plans for the morning.

“Rough night?” Namjoon asks as Jeongguk rolls on the bed, sitting up with his lids still closed. He yawns, and moves his neck for a bit of stretching.

“No, not really,” Jeongguk mumbles, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. “Coach wants the entire team on the field in thirty. Something about last-minute changes.”

Namjoon clicks his tongue. “Oh, shoot. That doesn’t sound good. Good luck, though, I’ll be there to watch the game.”

“Uh, actually, can I ask you a favor?” This time, his eyes are open and he’s staring at Namjoon while folding his laundry lazily. “A big one.”

“Sure. What is it?”

“Can you pick my mom up at the train station at 11am? I was supposed to go, but Coach ruined everything right now,” Jeongguk says, licking between his dry lips. “She’s coming from Busan to watch the final match.”

Namjoon nods. “Okay, no problem. I'll ask Hoseok to come with me ‘cause I don't know how to drive and I don't plan on learning to. He’s not doing anything today anyway, and he loves moms. So I’m sure it won't be a problem.”

“Thank you so much, hyung,” Jeongguk sighs in relief, tucking his brows as he gets on his feet. “I owe you one.”

His hyung chuckles, pushing the folded laundry away, "I'll definitely take your word for it, Jeongguk-ah. Go get ready for practice or whatever. The team is counting on you."

“Yeah, yeah,” Jeongguk mumbles under his breath, pacing around the room to look for his sneakers. He’ll just have something on the way from the cafeteria — it’s better than to make Coach Lee wait and then suffer by doing one-hundred punch ups for every minute they were late.

After changing into sweats and rushing out of the dorms, Jeongguk replies on the groupchat of the lacrosse team to say that he’s on his way. He doesn't think there’s nothing they can do if Yonsei is changing their tactics last minute, but Jeongguk doesn't know what Coach Lee is planning on doing, so he just finishes waking up with a mug of coffee to go and a dessert from the cafeteria. Not the best breakfast, but he doesn’t have much time.

The small jog to the field is uneventful. Jeongguk doesn't stop to observe the students getting some sun in the gardens and by the smaller running tracks, but he does swing by the locker rooms to leave his small bag and change into his practice shoes before joining the rest of the team just a minute before the clock strikes at ten.

Coach Lee has them working with some simple drills and warming up at first. Fifteen minutes later, they’re reviewing their own players and movements, and everything else they were practicing yesterday. From what Coach Ryu tells them, they have contacts with Yonsei and they’re coming in with everything against their team — apparently, they’ve heard about Jeongguk's addition to the team and how they've become stronger over the spring because of the newbie. 

Something tells Jeongguk that they're just trying to be intimidating, since their team hasn't taken any new players on the regular team for two years in a row. So, everyone’s in sync and better versed than him, but Jeongguk doesn’t feel like paying attention to them and he focuses on his own game. 

His heart beats faster as the time passes and the start of the match comes closer, and Jeongguk tries his best to avoid thinking about his future as he changes into his team’s jersey. He knows that the bleachers are filled up outside since he can hear the noise of the public already; his mother and friends are out there and he doesn’t want to disappoint them. Jeongguk takes a deep breath, and he tells himself that he will play like he knows what he’s not, without much pressure and the weight of the world on his shoulders.

It’s a full moon tonight, so Jeongguk knows that he will be stronger and faster than usual, but none of that will be useful if he forgets their strategies for today. The Coach is giving one last speech as they’re finishing up tying their sneakers and sliding into their clothes, it’s nothing bad and Jeongguk continues listening to him while drinking some water. 

They’re all nervous. It’s a big game ahead of them. 

“Don’t fuck this up,” Taehyung whispers to him as they’re on their way out of the locker room. 

This one line has become their tradition over the games and it has Jeongguk smiling as he steps out of the room. Jeongguk’s confidence in his team, in himself, and the cheers of the public give him the last hint of energy he needed to make it through the night. 

As expected, it’s a tough game. 

The Yonsei team has fire in their eyes and the same will to take those golden medals home. 

Jeongguk doesn’t want to lose, their team doesn’t want to lose, and the students from their University don’t want them to lose. It’s a hot summer night, and Jeongguk is sweating a few minutes into the game. Their Coach screams out advice and orders, but they’re almost muffled by the noise from the bleachers.

 During one of their half-times, Jeongguk’s eyes perk up to see his mother smiling widely by Namjoon’s side. She’s got a small banner with his name on it, and she has never looked more proud. He doesn’t want to disappoint her right now, even if their score is behind right now — Coach Ryu yells that they can change it and some of the players are benched. 

 They’re already down four points and can't face more scores on their goal. 

He knows he needs to concentrate, needs to focus on winning this game. It’s the final of the championship and the other team is glaring down at them from the other side of the field. It's Jeongguk’s first final, but he doesn't want his first to be a losing game. Taehyung stops by his side and massages his nape, he glances at him without saying anything.

“We have to win,” Jeongguk says quietly, and Taehyung nods. He knows the younger is right.

The half-time is almost over and they’re just now starting to catch their breaths. Taehyung turns around and walks back towards his position, but Jeongguk grabs his arm before he can get there as the referee gets back into the field. “Please.”

Taehyung stares at his hand for another moment before looking at him again with a soft expression on his face. “Of course we do. We’ve made the effort this time. I believe in you.”

The ball comes flying past Taehyung's direction just as Jeongguk finishes putting down his helmet with a smile. The referee blows the whistle and the match is back on - Yonsei is still winning and with the same players on the field. No changes on their team. 

Jeongguk’s heart jumps and he’s not sure what it means anymore, but his red eyes flash open once he’s got the ball. He runs, he goes around players with only one goal and pushes through opponents like water. His teammates shout encouragements behind him and jeers from the crowd, and he grins so wide that his cheeks hurt. His muscles burn and time runs out again. 

It’s a tie now, and their team feels more focused. There’s an actual chance of them winning, so they go back out there with everything they’ve got, even when Yonsei scores two more points and gets ahead of them. 

The entire campus celebrates as the referee blows the whistle. 

Coach Lee and Assistant Coach Ryu are screaming out their lungs over the grass, not even believing in what they managed to do five minutes before the end of the game; they were losing by two points, and then it was a tie, and then a win. Taehyung’s last score gave them the trophy and their gold medals and Jeongguk picks him up not one second after the end-game was called.

 The other players look at them with surprise mixed into their happiness from the adrenaline rush running through their veins. It's a huge mark for them and they have the right to celebrate. Jeongguk was an incredible addition to the team, the last-minute practice actually worked and they’ll have the rest of the night to celebrate the win. 

After they’re handed out their medals and they raise the trophy, and Taehyung as the team's captain, is the one holding it of course, their friends come into the field to congratulate them.  Jeongguk is grinning so wide his cheeks hurt like he just got a new pair of teeth by the time his mother hugs him tightly and tells him she's proud of him. 

The only thing left to end Jeongguk’s night is drinks and some time alone to themselves after a big match like that. And a kiss from Taehyung, probably.

However, those plans end up postponed after Jeon Minah calls out every single one of Jeongguk’s friends to dinner to celebrate the win; Taehyung and Jimin included, since they’re in the middle of the mess they become after so many hugs and smiles. Jeongguk didn’t know how that felt until now — he actually has friends and a nice boyfriend.

( He never said or thought about the word boyfriend, if Taehyung asks. They haven't talked about this yet)

And maybe he does deserve this. Maybe he deserves to be happy for once. After winning the championship of their university’s lacrosse team, Jeongguk plans on going on a date with Taehyung if nothing gets in their way. But, for now, they’re thrown back into the locker room to take a shower before leaving for dinner. 

Most of the players have gone directly to a bar near campus to celebrate, so it’s no surprise it ends up being just the two of them in the showers. Taehyung leans down to plant a chaste kiss on his lips and Jeongguk pulls away with a smile bright as the moonlight filtering through the small windows around them.

The high of the match hazes them away from reality for a moment, so Jeongguk puts a hand behind Taehyung’s neck and kisses him again, longer, deeper, more passionate than the first one since they’re alone, naked and in the middle of the showers after winning a fucking difficult game. Taehyung’s hands automatically come to rest on Jeongguk’s waist, who’s quick enough to press himself against him, both arms wrapped around his neck.

Jeongguk moans when Taehyung runs his fingers over his shoulders, down his chest, until he can tangle his fingers into the hair at the back of his head. When Jeongguk moves his mouth down the column of his throat, sucking hard, Taehyung shivers and whimpers, which makes Jeongguk smirk and nip at his earlobe before biting down softly. A low sound vibrates in the quiet room as Jeongguk bites down even harder, causing Taehyung’s hips to buck against his own. 

“I hope you didn't forget your promise,” Jeongguk whispers, feeling his back touching the cold tiles. “I’m saving my gold medal for later tonight.”

“I didn’t,” Taehyung mumbles, and his breath touches Jeongguk’s face.Their dark eyes are shinning, and they don’t want to let go of each other. “Fuck.”

Jeongguk grins, but it disappears from his face once something drops in the other room and they pull away from each other. It’s a loud sound that startles Jeongguk, and it’s enough to remind them that they’re in public and shouldn’t be doing that right now. Not when their friends are waiting for them outside.

A loud thump barges into the stall once again. It’s coming from outside, but Jeongguk can’t quite figure out if it’s from outside the locker room, or only from the stalls.

The tap is closed and droplets of water fall to the floor. Jeongguk holds Taehyung’s wrist to keep in him place, as he furrows his eyebrows and tries to use his heightened hearing to figure out what is going on. Taehyung blinks a couple of times and Jeongguk takes a step forward, coming out of the stall with a towel around his waist.

“Did someone just leave?” Taehyung asks in a quiet voice. 

“I don’t know,” Jeongguk murmurs, perking up with his red eyes to look at Taehyung. Something doesn’t feel right and it tingles his senses. “It’s probably better if we leave.”

Taehyung nods, and follows Jeongguk closely as they walk out of the shower stalls. The room is a bit darker than before but neither one of them puts too much thought into it as it could easily be explained by the evening slowly fading into the night. 

Jeongguk walks carefully, eyes scanning over the room until they reach the aisle of their lockers to change quickly into their clothes and get the hell out of there. They try to be as quiet as possible, so that they’ll notice if something feels off again, but Jeongguk’s instincts keep acting up as if they’re not entirely safe.

Then, Seokjin comes barging into the locker room with a gun in his hand and a small backpack on his shoulders. Jeongguk closes his locker immediately and raises his eyes up to him—he doesn’t look like the bubbly friend from half an hour ago, and neither does Jimin, who’s right behind him. There’s a bow and arrow sliding down his back, and Jeongguk doesn’t think he has ever seen that level of seriousness in his face.

“I asked Yoongi to go ahead of us and to take your mother to the restaurant, so she’s safe,” Seokjin mumbles, exchanging his glares from Jeongguk and Taehyung to the double doors on the other side of the locker room. However, Jimin is just in the right position to keep watching it, just a few meters away from them, on the corner. “They’ve left already.”

“What’s going on, hyung?” Taehyung asks, stepping in between Seokjin and Jeongguk. “Why are you two here with those weapons?”

“There’s a rogue wolf on the campus. Luckily, it’s all empty now after the game,” Jimin says without removing his eyes from the door, and Seokjin hands out the bag to Taehyung. Jeongguk feels a bit lost. “Seokjin hyung filled me in, Jeongguk, and we think it’s the one that’s after you. We managed to scare them off the field for a bit, but it’s still close.”

Jeongguk frowns. “What?”

“Sorry, Jeongguk-ah,” Seokjin mumbles. “I had to tell him about it. He was the one who noticed the wolf here.”

Jimin looks at him. “Don’t worry about it, Jeongguk-ah. I really don’t care if you're a wolf if you’re not biting innocent teenagers and then coming after them in a school. Actually, I don’t think anyone cares.”

In short, Jimin also knows Jeongguk is a wolf. Nice. At least there isn’t a bullet down his throat.

The rogue wolf is on the campus. Not so nice.

“So all of you know each other?” Jeongguk asks, tilting his head. He’s nervous and doesn’t know what he’s saying, but it definitely was the first thought that came to mind. “Is there some sort of support group for the children of hunters that I don’t know about?”

“Jeongguk, for fuck’s sake. This is not the time,” Taehyung groans, rolling his eyes. There’s another gun in the room and it’s in Jeongguk’s hand. “We have to get out of here. You’re not safe here.”

The harsh tone snaps Jeongguk out of his own mind, so he shakes his head and slips into his shoes. Taehyung is right—he’s not safe if that wolf is after him. It’s possibly a much older and bigger wolf, as they tend to grow with time and knowledge, and Jeongguk would be considered no more than a teen wolf if so.

“What are you doing?” Taehyung questions, standing in front of him as Jeongguk takes his backpack to get ready to leave. 

“Huh? What do you mean?” Jeongguk murmurs, confused.

“Shift, Jeongguk,” Seokjin completes Taehyung’s trace of thought. “You’re much safer in your wolf form. You’ll be stronger and faster than in two legs. You won’t be alone.”

Jeongguk’s eyes are wide open, and he tries to observe the expression in the faces of the three hunters in front of him. The first thing that comes into his mind is that he would be entirely vulnerable around them while he’s shifting and they’re hunters. Jeongguk doesn’t like the sound of that. He has never shifted around anyone else other than his mother, and she would never hurt him.

Then, Jeongguk’s gaze falls over Taehyung. The hunter smiles slightly, as if he’s capable of reading what is going through Jeongguk’s clouded mind right now. Since Jeongguk shifted for the first time and found out more about the supernatural world, he was taught to fear hunters, especially as a lone wolf. He doesn’t have a pack to protect him, or an alpha to have his back. Jeongguk is all alone in the world when it comes to his wolf side. So it’s only fair he’s torn apart between listening to his reason and listening to what Seokjin has just told him.

“Jeongguk, baby, look at me,” Taehyung starts, holding Jeongguk’s shoulder with his free arm. “I know this is difficult. I know you’re a packless wolf in the middle of three hunters. But do you remember how I saved you? How Seokjin hyung saved you? We’re not going to hurt you. I would never hurt you.”

There’s a moment of silence between them and Jeongguk’s eyes drift away to see Seokjin nodding behind Taehyung with a hint of surprise in his eyes. He didn’t know Jeongguk and Taehyung were together, so that’s only fair. Jimin’s pacing around the locker room, trying to watch out for what might be coming from outside. It feels like he’s just as nervous as Jeongguk is by the time Taehyung squeezes his arms, winning back his attention. 

“Okay,” Jeongguk whispers, letting his backpack fall on the bench behind him.

He doesn’t say anything else, but Taehyung’s smile grows wider as Jeongguk takes a step back to hide behind the rest of the lockers. It’s not like he’s ashamed of ripping off his clothes and shifting into a wolf—but he’ll be vulnerable and he’s not completely comfortable doing that in public. Jeongguk can still hear their heavy breathing as he removes his clothes, trying not to seem too anxious while at it.

All the past times Jeongguk shifted, he was feeling free and in touch with himself. Now, he doesn’t know much about that. 

Seokjin said he would be safer in his wolf form, but Jeongguk can’t wrap his head around it. He’s not trained enough and, maybe, he’s stronger and faster than human Jeongguk, but he never had to use it as a weapon. So, if they have to fight, he’s screwed. But Jeongguk closes his eyes and allows himself to feel his bones crushing and changing places. 

They probably don’t have a lot of time, so Jeongguk tries to be as quick as possible. It’s different and a bit harder than it has been lately, but Jeongguk figures out it's because he's wary of his surroundings and knows that a threat awaits him outside. 

There’s also a weird sense of pride and accomplishment in his muscles whenever he’s standing tall in his wolf. Jeongguk is a rather new wolf, but he’s just as big as an adult wolf. It’s oddly comforting to let go of part of his human side for a moment, even though he’s aware that a rogue wolf is coming for him. He takes a second to shake his fur and then ambles out from behind the lockers.

The three hunters stare at him, and Seokjin guides with his head that they should come out of there right now. Taehyung takes Jeongguk’s backpack, and follows them from behind, right by the wolf’s side with the gun still lying between his fingers. He can hear and understand what they’re saying, but everything sounds muffled as Jeongguk is hyper aware of everything happening around him. 

By the time the four of them are out of the room, Jeongguk whiffs on something strange. He stops and finds the figure of two other wolves sitting on their back paws, staring at the hunters as if they knew them—Jeongguk’s head tilts, and if he was in his human form right now, he would be frowning. He doesn’t understand what’s happening and why there are two other wolves waiting from them just by the door.

“I told you you wouldn’t be alone,” Seokjin comments, clicking his tongue on the roof of his mouth as Jimin chuckles. 

Jeongguk blinks, and then focuses back on the two wolves. One of them is taller with white fur and a brown mark behind their left ear with dark hazing eyes flaming into Jeongguk’s figure; the other one is slightly smaller and has dark gray fur, almost turning black, which looks nice with his red eyes. They bump into each other and then walk towards Jeongguk, leaving him in the middle of them. Suddenly, two names pop into his mind—and he doesn’t even know how.

Hoseok and Namjoon. 

He’s surprised to say the least. How come he's been surrounded by two wolves since day one and didn’t know a thing?

“We’ll have time for explanations later,” Jimin cuts their moment, grabbing their attention back to him. “We have to…”

The words die down in the air as a howl echoes through the field. Jeongguk takes a step back, feeling his ears poking up almost immediately. He does recognize that howl that might sound random for human ears, but it’s the one he heard on the night he got hurt in the woods. It’s the same wolf that attacked him and turned him. That wolf is still out there and it’s looking for him.

Jimin looks worried. “We should move. Now.” 

Jeongguk is not so sure about this anymore. What are the odds that they’re going to make it out of the University's campus in time? They’re a small group of a bunch of hunters who left home, one clueless wolf and two others that Jeongguk didn't even know existed. The only things that made them seem capable enough to hunt were knives and guns. That was about it, and they don't have a lot of places to hide, and neither does the wolf.

However, they're making their way out of the field, at least. There’s no one other than them and the poorly lit lamp bleachers now that the match is over. Jeongguk fears for the humans. He doesn't want anyone to get hurt because of him. Wouldn’t it be better if he just gave himself in to know what the wolf wants? Maybe he’s just a lone wolf like Jeongguk looking for a pack.

What does Jeongguk know, either way?

So he follows them quietly and leaves his questions for later. 

As usual, it doesn’t work out.  

The silhouette of a person staggering out of the bushes is what meets them just after they make it out of the lacrosse field. At that point, the wolves were ahead covering the lead, while the hunters stayed behind, watching to see if anyone was following them. Jeongguk stops immediately, feeling Hoseok and Namjoon right behind him.

“I’m sorry,” the person says, stepping out from behind the shadows. The moonlight hits his face and Jeongguk recognizes Hyunjin, right before he drops to his knees in front of him. His face is all bruised and there’s the smudge of fingers around his throat. “I tried.”

Seokjin runs up to Hyunjin and manages to catch him before the boy falls onto the grass. He's not out, Jeongguk can hear the noises of his heartbeats agitated and tired at the same time, but he seems too weak to continue talking. Jeongguk grunted a little, slowly approaching the hunter and his roommate. He wants to take a better look at him. 

The smell of blood fills Jeongguk's nostrils. It's strange, but he understands right away when Seokjin lifts Hyunjin's shirt and they spot the claw marks on his stomach. The marks are new and the only reason they didn't stain his shirt is because it's black, but Hyunjin's face is full of purple bruises, and his arms are covered in scratches.

“Hyunjin?” Seokjin calls after him, shaking his shoulders. “Hyunjin, fuck. What have you tried? What the fuck? What happened to you?"

Hyunjin coughs, choking on his own saliva. Jeongguk can smell fear on him. For a moment, Jeongguk glances at Taehyung and Jimin who are standing right behind them, standing next to one of the neatly trimmed trees to take in all of their surroundings.

“Do you know this guy?” Jimin asks, switching his gazes to Jeongguk and Seokjin. “Hyung?”

“It’s Namjoon and Jeongguk’s roommate,” Seokjin explains, placing two fingers over Hyunjin's jugular to make sure his heart is still beating after passing out. “He was always weird and in his own way. I just don't think he had anything to do with it. Perhaps he was attacked by the wolf?”

"And why didn't he go out with everyone else?" Taehyung points, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “He is friends with one of the guys on the team and is always glued to them. It makes no sense."

Jeongguk hums, sitting up on his hind legs. There's something that doesn't seem to come together in this story that Taehyung and Jimin are trying to create. Does he understand their point of view—a random, weird person who's roommates with two wolves, popping out of the bushes saying he tried something? It's clear how this will sound to two young hunters.

Suddenly, Hoseok snarls loudly, gaining all of their attention. He is the biggest wolf beside Namjoon, his yellow eyes appear out of nowhere and, with his boyfriend at his heels, he disappears through the bushes in silence. Jeongguk doesn't understand what happened, let alone Seokjin, Jimin and Taehyung who are not in sync with the wolves.

As much as there is a slight noise at the bottom of that small garden, Jeongguk doesn't feel like he should be any more alert than he already is. However, Hoseok and Namjoon are bigger wolves and seem to be more experienced, so they must have noticed something Jeongguk didn’t. Only Jeongguk doesn't try to follow them.

The only thing Jeongguk does is get back to his feet, his sense of smell and hearing sharp as he walks a little way away from the hunters, trying to see where Hoseok and Namjoon have gone. Their paw steps are light and almost imperceptible on the grass, Jeongguk takes a deep breath, trying to notice something different in the air.

The faint scent of an unfamiliar wolf lingers around him and Jeongguk feels his fur rise a little bit at the thought. A fight would be bad for everyone involved.

Although he tries, Jeongguk doesn’t get a chance to warn them before there's a wolf right in front of him. It’s a big, blue-eyed white wolf coming right his way. Its paws hit the ground with enough force to ruffle some of the blades of grass under them, its ears are pinned back against its head, its eyes glaring up at Jeongguk, but the young wolf looks too shocked by what’s happening to do anything about it.

Jeongguk takes a couple of steps back, feeling the mud right under his paws as he tries to keep his eyes glued on the wolf. The wolf growls at Jeongguk once he stops, motionless in place as the world around him sounds completely and weirdly muffled; usually, Jeongguk has quite the nice hearing. He can see Seokjin getting on his feet, Hyunjin’s body lying down on the floor by the tree, but Taehyung and Jimin are behind him and Jeongguk doesn’t know what is happening there. 

There aren’t many memories from that night coming back from Jeongguk, but he does remember feeling scared. He remembers the feeling of the wolf’s claws on his thighs, and then him biting the side of his torso and leaving him there to die. Jeongguk remembers waking up in the hospital and his mother’s tears, fearing that she would lose her only son. That is the same wolf who changed Jeongguk’s entire life and had him hiding more than he used to back in high school. 

It gave him a new life. It changed him. Jeongguk doesn’t know if he should be thankful, but he knows that those things don’t come for free—and now the wolf is back to charge his debt. He’s almost at Jeongguk’s left flank when it finally snaps out of its spot and lunges at him, teeth bared and eyes gleaming. 

Then Taehyung is right by his side, gun pointed towards him as if he doesn’t have a scare in the world.

“Tell your boy right this conversation is between you and me.”

What?

Jeongguk halts, staring at the wolf’s shining blue eyes.. The full moon hovers right above them and there’s a voice echoing inside his mind. He doesn’t know that voice, but he’s certain it’s coming from the rogue wolf.

“You’re my creation, Jeongguk-ssi, do you think we wouldn’t be able to communicate in our wolf forms? Even if we’re not a pack? I gave you everything you have — your abilities that allowed you to play lacrosse and be recognized. You’d be nothing without me, just like you were back in high school, don’t you remember? Now, guide your boy to lower his weapon or we’ll have a problem here.”

Although Jeongguk wants to fight back, something inside him feels like he should listen to him. The wolf is right— Jeongguk was nothing before him. He didn’t have anything. He didn’t have any friends, he didn’t have lacrosse, and he didn’t have a considered boyfriend. 

“That’s right, Jeongguk-ah. You wouldn’t be anything without me.”

Jeongguk’s wolf whimpers a little and he nuzzles against Taehyung’s legs. It feels childish and stupid, especially when he looks up at him and Taehyung’s brows are furrowed in confusion. He’s not sure of what is happening, because it’s pretty obvious no one other than Jeongguk can hear the wolf’s words. Jeongguk himself doesn’t even know how the wolf is aware of who he is.

“What? What do you want, Jeongguk?” Taehyung mumbles, trying to figure out what Jeongguk’s rocking back and forth means. “Wh—” 

“ Come on, Jeongguk. Be realistic. Do you think they’ll keep you around for much longer? They’re just using you for the team.”

“Don’t pay attention to him, Taehyung,” Jimin hisses, raising the bow slowly. Jeongguk gets a bit desperate as the wolf won’t stop telling him to get away from the hunters, and he’s torn apart between everything. “Don’t you see the wolf is attempting to manipulate you? Wolves have a bond with those who bite them, and with Jeongguk and him it wouldn’t be different.”

“Run away with me. Be free with me.”

“Jeongguk is trying to tell me something, Jimin!” Taehyung shoots back, and the gun shakes in his hand. Jeongguk doesn’t think he has noticed it before, but it’s a tranquilizer gun, and not one with real bullets in it—Seokjin was the only one with one of these. “Why would I just ignore him?”

“I can teach you everything about being a wolf.”

Jimin rolls his eyes. He’s close, too close. “Because he’s a young, packless wolf whose sire is right in front of him. Don’t you remember how strong those bonds are?” 

“Stop with this you two,” Seokjin’s voice echoes behind him, and it’s clear that he’s annoyed. 

“You’re strong, Jeongguk. Stronger than you think. We can build a pack together.”

Jeongguk doesn’t think the hunters are paying attention to him right now. They’re too busy staring at each other and fighting over who’s right and what they should do. It’s a rookie, stupid mistake to make, because the first thing Jeongguk thinks is that if he ran away from there, no one would be able to catch him. No one would’ve noticed.

It isn’t what happens.

Jeongguk's blurred vision doesn't let him see the moment the wolf lunges right for his neck, fangs nearly grazing his skin until both of them are rolling on the ground, growling loudly. Jeongguk growls and slams his hind paws on the offender. He is inexperienced in all of this, but ends up acting on instinct the moment he smells his own blood mixing with the grass.

The hunters' voices sound far away, but Jeongguk knows they are around the two wolves. He's just a little dizzy and focused on getting the wolf off him. Is that what Hyunjin said he tried to do? Get rid of the wolf so he wouldn't attack Jeongguk? Except he's bigger and stronger and obviously a lot more experienced than two young adults who just entered this supernatural world. Jeongguk doesn't even know if Hyunjin was aware of what he was up against.

Jeongguk can’t see what the hunters are doing, but he hears two, three, shots and closes his eyes. They're loud, fast, and have Jeongguk's heart thumping even faster. One of his bites on the wolf's ear works and he manages to run away, his sense of survival speaking louder than anything else at the moment. It's his university campus and he knows it despite the few months he’s lived there. He knows that if he keeps running and turns left, he'll make it to the back exit and make it to the street, away from the students and the wolf that's been left behind.

There is a howl that disperses through the night and the sound of footsteps gets closer and closer. Jeongguk is slightly limping from one of his front legs, so he's not running as fast as he'd like—especially when he realizes it's the wolf that attacked right behind him. Apparently, the shots didn't hit him, or he’s stronger than he was before when he bit Jeongguk for the first time, turning him into a wolf.

From what Jeongguk remembers from his long conversation with Taehyung and Seokjin when the two hunters found him injured in the forest, rogue wolves totally depend on the wolves they transform for their strength. There's no fixed rule for what they do, but Jeongguk doesn't believe that that wolf wants to form a pack. He wants to destroy and kill Jeongguk.  That’s why the wolf kept on chasing him.

It would’ve been easier if he just wanted to be close and form a community of wolves. He wouldn’t have come so harshly, creeping into the university like that, and alarming all hunters from the region.

So, Jeongguk continues running like his life depends on it, only stopping when he notices the back gates are closed with heavy chains and locks. He won’t get away from there. The wind blows against his face, making his eyes tear up and burn, and his leg aches painfully under the drizzling rain coming down all of a sudden. Jeongguk’s breath feels ragged and his chest hurts, but he knows he doesn’t have anywhere else to go.

Technically, Jeongguk could run back. There’s another way from the running tracks, but they’re much further away and he’s already hurt and tired with no sight of the wolf behind him. Jeongguk walks away from the gates, not wanting to try his luck this time, especially when he hears again the loud howling and the noise coming from the grass. The full moon doesn’t seem to want to make its way out of the faint clouds up in the sky, and Jeongguk pants.

If this was a normal day, Jeongguk wouldn’t be so tired. He would be able to run for more than thirty minutes without giving himself a break, even if he had played a full-term lacrosse game just an hour ago. But he’s bleeding out and with a wolf after him. He could stand down and fight, but what can he do against a much bigger and larger wolf?

Another shot fired. 

Jeongguk looks up and birds are flying away from the trees. 

For the first time in months, Jeongguk feels alone again. 

The secondary gardens just before the running tracks are just as empty as the ones back on the lacrosse field. It allows Jeongguk to breathe out in relief from knowing that the wolf won’t hurt anyone else other than him. If Jeongguk only gave himself in, everything would be fixed. The wolf would leave, and his friends wouldn’t get hurt.

A cry for help resonates into the night and Jeongguk halts. His paws touch the floor gently, and he turns around with a lot of care. There’s a presence in his surroundings, but it doesn’t feel like it’s the rogue wolf coming from him. Jeongguk swallows dryly and takes another step back, his red eyes scan over the tracks and he finds two wolves behind the bushes, snarling towards something. 

The moon comes out from hiding and it hits straight over them. Jeongguk recognizes the wolves as Hoseok and Namjoon, and only when he comes closer he sees that it’s the rogue wolf trapped underneath Hoseok’s and Namjoon’s paws and claws. The wolf isn’t dead, Jeongguk can hear their loud heartbeats and panting breaths as their blue eyes glare at him.

The two standing wolves turn towards Jeongguk, who takes one last look at the fallen wolf. One of Namjoon’s paws is pressing against his neck, preventing the rogue wolf from getting up or breathing properly and Jeongguk doesn’t feel scared anymore. He wasn't alone, after all.

However, it is common sense that if the dean turns up the next morning and finds a dead man naked in the school yard, a police case will be mounted against the campus and the odds in their favor aren’t so great since they wouldn’t have anyone to back them up on where they were that night. So, as soon as the hunters reached the four wolves, they all rushed to Seokjin’s truck, leaving the campus.

The last thing Jeongguk remembers before passing out is being in the back of the truck, resting his head on Taehyung’s lap and the hunter’s soft hand caressing his fur. 

The sound of faint thumping echoes in the room and Jeongguk wakes up. He doesn't open his eyes, but frowns.

His head hurts and his throat feels dry. It’s like he’s slept for long days without putting a drop of water on his lips. He wets his mouth and tries to move, but his body is totally sore and Jeongguk thinks he's not in his wolf form anymore.

Over the months as a wolf, Jeongguk has found that when they get hurt, they tend to remain in their wolf form as a form of protection and only revert back to being human when all their instincts tell them they’re safe. So Jeongguk knows he shouldn't worry too much for now. If he is no longer a wolf, the danger is gone.

Gradually, some flashes of that night come back to him. There’s the cracked voices of Namjoon and Hoseok saying he's hurt, the worried looks of Taehyung and Jimin, along with Seokjin trying to keep them calm during a phone call. Jeongguk swallows hard, opening his eyes. The room is dark and Jeongguk can feel the softness of a mattress under him, which tells him that he is not in the strange hut of the hunters, whose stretcher was not at all comfortable to sleep on.

Jeongguk tries to move but ends up moaning in pain in the meantime. He brings his hand to his neck and feels bandages covering his skin. His arms are bruised and Jeongguk can see what appears to be another pair of bandages on his shoulder. The fight with the wolf wasn't pretty at all and Jeongguk almost broke out of it. He doesn't know how he is still alive.

The smell of blood is gone from his nostrils and the room is covered in lavender disinfectant, rubbing alcohol and wood. Jeongguk forces his body again, lying on his side just to see if he can see a watch, or his backpack. If Taehyung brought him to wherever this location is, he must have brought his backpack with his phone inside.

Mother.h

Jeongguk thinks about his mother. She is in Seoul. She was with Yoongi as far as Jeongguk knows. She must be worried about him.

What is happening?

He feels confused and wants to get up, not caring about his nakedness under the thin sheet that covers his body. Jeongguk doesn't recognize the place and knows he should care about it, however much his wolf felt comfortable enough to disappear.

The door opens and Jeongguk's eyes immediately move towards it. Outside, there is a little light, but Jeongguk believes he must have suffered a concussion because his vision is a little blurred, and it only gets better when the room lights are turned on. And this time, it really is a small room with a wardrobe and an open window on the opposite wall.

It's Hoseok who is entering the room with a small box and a thin smile on his lips. He’s dressed in fine clothes and no shoes, his brown hair falls over his forehead and there’s nothing scary about his eyes.

Hoseok is his friend. One of the wolves that saved him, Jeongguk reminds himself. He doesn’t know why he was having second thoughts.

“Hi, Jeongguk-ah, are you feeling better?” Hoseok asks, closing the door behind him before walking towards the younger boy. “You hurt yourself pretty bad.”

Jeongguk blinks a few times, pulling himself into a sitting position with his back against the headboard of the bed and the wall. It’s considerably difficult, but he manages with the strength of his leg, still keeping the blanket over his private parts.

“I...” Jeongguk starts, but his voice cracks. His throat feels too dry.

“Oh. Right. I’m an idiot,” Hoseok shakes his head, opening a bottle of water and helping Jeongguk to drink it. “You've lost a lot of blood, so you need to drink a lot of water so you don't get dehydrated. Luckily, we were already close to here when you passed out in the car.”

Jeongguk drinks practically the entire bottle. He hadn't realized he was so thirsty (and hungry, too), but he thanks Hoseok quietly for the water after feeling full.

“Where are we?” Jeongguk asks, keeping his tone low so as not to hurt his throat. “What place is this?”

“It’s a cottage in my pack. We're originally from Gwangju, but we moved to Seoul ten years ago,” Hoseok explains, smiling slightly as he sits on the edge of the bed. “It was a strategic shift after an arranged marriage agreement between Namjoon and I.”

“What?”

Hoseok chuckles. “It’s a little confusing, but we’ll explain everything to you when you're better. Namjoon is out there holding Taehyung from barging in here. I believe that if Taehyung were a wolf, he would have the strength of a pack leader after his Luna is kidnapped by strays.”

“Taehyung is here?”

“Mhm. He is. Your mother too, but she slept in the next room because she was so tired after dressing your wounds. She made Jimin promise to wake her up as soon as you woke up, but he had to accompany Yoongi hyung to the infirmary. He accidentally hurt his arm on the way here,” Hoseok mutters, picking up the first aid kit box and opening it on his lap. “And no, Yoongi hyung is not a wolf like us. He is a human added to our group, he only found out about Namjoon and me a few months ago and was quite surprised.”

“Did you all… all of you know about each other?” Jeongguk ponders, coughing a little at the end. Seokjin had said that they didn’t know about him being a hunter, which feels strange now. “About me?"

“Not exactly,” Hoseok clarifies, looking up to take in Jeongguk’s confused face. “But Seokjin hyung commented that he had to lie to you a few weeks ago about us knowing about him being from a hunting family. From what I understand, he didn't want to put our status in the spotlight. Namjoon and I were a bit suspicious of you being a transformed wolf because of the scars on your body and a few other details we caught up through the semester; we just weren’t sure if it was all in our heads or the truth. It is much more difficult to identify a transformed wolf than a born one. We never commented on anything because we wanted you to feel comfortable enough to share it with us, but... If we had the information that you are a lone wolf, I would have brought you here by now, Jeongguk-ah. It’s very difficult to survive living a life like this, especially when you're transformed that way.”

Jeongguk looks up at Hoseok through half lidded eyes. He licks over his lips.

“I’m sorry,” Jeongguk mumbles, fiddling with his fingers. “I almost made you guys get hurt. It's all my fault, the wolf was after me. I’ll apologize to the rest of the hyungs as well.”

Hoseok shakes his head. “No, Jeongguk-ah, don’t do that. None of us blame you for any of this. It’s not your fault.”

He gives Jeongguk a small smile, one that doesn't reach his eyes. For some reason, it makes tears spring to Jeongguk's eyes despite himself. His gaze drops down to stare at his hands. He's still pretty shaken up about everything and although he does understand Hoseok’s point, Jeongguk can’t help thinking he could’ve done something about it if he hadn’t gotten too comfortable.

“You just rest your throat and not speak for some time,,” Hoseok continues, but Jeongguk doesn’t raise his head. “I’ll change your bandages and get some soft food so you can eat something. You've been passed out for a long time and never managed to eat after the game. We heal fast, but not without any food. Also, I’m afraid Taehyung will create a hole on the floor if we don’t let him here soon.”

The idea sounds tempting - really does, and he’d be lying if he said he doesn't crave a full stomach right now. He thinks about how desperate Taehyung must be as well, and he doesn't want to drag this subject any longer. So, Jeongguk nods and stays quiet and motionless while Hoseok cleans the wounds on his neck, shoulder and left calf. The bruises on his arms and chest are minimal, so a simple natural healing oil will do the trick, but Jeongguk is too tired to think about it.

“All done,” Hoseok says with a gentle voice, closing the first aid kit as Jeongguk finally looks him up in the eye. “I’ll tell Taehyung you’re awake and, uh, get you some clothes. We don’t have a problem with nudity, though, but I figure you don’t want to walk around naked into some unknown place.”

The words have Jeongguk chuckling, and he can see that Hoseok’s glad that he managed to get the littlest of the smiles out of him. So, Jeongguk nods and watches Hoseok walking out of the bedroom. He’s worn out, not too tired per se, but he could sleep for the rest of the day if possible,  and he just takes a deep breath, closing his lids for a moment.

It doesn’t last for long, though, Jeongguk hears the handle clicking and sees Taehyung’s figure barging into the room, trying to be as silent as possible. Jeongguk figures it’s probably the middle of the night right now since the lights coming in are from lamps, and the curtains are closed; the rest of Hoseok’s pack is already asleep, so they don’t want to wake them up startled. 

Jeongguk forces out a smile, observing as Taehyung gets closer slowly, careful enough to not throw himself over his body out of worry. He sits on the edge of the bed and takes Jeongguk’s hand, caressing it gently as his eyes go up to scan over his face. They don’t say anything at first and Jeongguk bites the inner side of his cheeks for that, but it feels better this way. 

Silence fills the room and Taehyung brings his free hand up Jeongguk’s chin, using his thumb to caress his cheek and push himself closer, so their foreheads are pressed together. Taehyung breathes out as if he has been carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was scared, Jeongguk can feel it, so it’s only fair he presses a light kiss to the corner of his lips and interlocks their fingers tightly. 

It's like Jeongguk is telling Taehyung he’s there and he’s not going anywhere.  It’s just him and Taehyung at that moment, no one else. Taehyung smiles softly, his grip tightening around Jeongguk’s hand before moving down to rest at his waist. Something tells the wolf Taehyung has too much to say, but doesn't even know how to start.

There’s nothing to add or take away from what happened, but still the silence weighs heavy upon them and Taehyung looks ready to tear up with each passing second. And maybe that’s all they need—a few more seconds and then Taehyung’s tears would fall and he would let the distress that was eating him up on the inside go. But right now, Jeongguk doesn’t want that. He doesn't want to be the reason why Kim Taehyung is crying. He just wants them both to breathe. The air around them grows thin as tension builds up like an invisible string. It starts off soft and tender and soon enough there isn’t enough space left between them anymore and Jeongguk's back touches the headboard, so they're staring at each other again.

A sense of normalcy had been building up between them since they confessed to each other, so Jeongguk doesn’t feel weird or awkward about this. He still has to think about the fact that all of their friends know about their — non discussed and unlabeled— relationship, but that’s a talk for later. For now, Jeongguk smiles towards Taehyung and squeezes his hand.

“You scared me,” Taehyung whispers, and it’s loud enough for Jeongguk to hear and nod. 

He knows the hunter is right. Everything was a bit scary that night, and he can’t even imagine how it must have been for Taehyung to see him passing out on him like that; bleeding out with no sense of what was happening around him. If the wolf hadn’t been captured by Hoseok and Namjoon, he would’ve died right there.

“I know,” Jeongguk mumbles back, lips barely moving. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” Taehyung says back, breathing in deeply as he runs his fingers around Jeongguk’s wrist. “At least you’re here now. You’re safe and Hoseok hyung’s pack will take good care of you until you’re feeling better. He fought really hard with the leader to allow us inside; they’re not exactly friendly with hunters.”

“Can you…” Jeongguk coughs, feeling his throat closing up a bit. He’s still confused about Hoseok and Namjoon being wolves. “Can you blame them?”

“No, I really can’t.” Taehyung chuckles, glancing up at him through his lashes. “How are you feeling? Your mom didn’t let anyone other than her take care of your wounds when we got here; not even the pack healers. Uh, she looks a lot like you and is a bit scary.”

It does sound like his mother, and Jeongguk thinks he should laugh at that, but his throat hurts and he manages to hold it back. 

Jeongguk shrugs. “I feel like I was attacked by a wolf. Sore, hurt and all that, but…”

His voice fails and Taehyung reaches out to the water bottle Hoseok left by the bedside table. He lets go of Jeongguk’s hand and opens it gently for him to drink it and soothe his vocal cords. “Thank you.”

Taehyung hums in response, eyes never leaving Jeongguk’s face.

“I know you probably have a lot of questions,” Taehyung says, watching Jeongguk drinking up the rest of the water. “Hoseok hyung and Namjoon hyung brought the wolf here to be questioned by the pack’s elders. He’s, uh, he’s called Choi Donghun, and he’s Hyunjin’s older brother.”

“Hyunjin as in…?”

“Your roommate,” Taehyung completes, and Jeongguk’s brows raise up as he places the empty bottle by the side of the bed. “Namjoon hyung almost lost it when he found out—they were roommates for a couple of years already before you came in. So it’s only fair he’s frustrated. As far as we know, he wasn’t involved in it and his brother was threatening him to get information on you. That’s why he knew a couple of things about you.”

Jeongguk pushes his brows together. “Is Hyunjin a wolf, too?”

“No, he’s not. He was born into a wolf family, but never managed to shift,” Taehyung explains, shaking his head and pushing himself further up in the bed for more comfort. He crosses his legs, taking both of Jeongguk’s hands to fiddle with his fingers. “He was thrown out of their pack because of it since not even with a bite he would turn—his brother followed him along and swore to get revenge on his behalf. I don’t know much more, but I think he was planning on using the power of a new-born wolf to take down their previous Leader and become the Alpha of their pack. We didn’t get to talk much to Hyunjin before he passed out again; his brother did a piece on him.”

Jeongguk frowns at the thought of someone so kind being forced into something like that by his own pack—his own brother. He doesn't know much about wolf etiquette and beliefs, but he was sure that packs were like a family, and his mother has always taught him that he shouldn't leave a family member behind, regardless of what they’re going through.

All this just sounds cruel. Awfully cruel. Jeongguk feels sorry for Hyunjin.

But he doesn’t get the chance of replying to Taehyung’s words, as someone knocks on the door and Jeongguk’s eyes drift away from him, mumbling that the door is open and whoever’s out there can come in. They’re still holding hands when Hoseok and Namjoon come into the room, holding a tray and a small transparent bag with clothes, and they don’t even flinch with the sight.

“Hi,” Namjoon mumbles, leaving the bag at the end of the bed. Jeongguk catches a glimpse of a purple bruise near his left eye, but he doesn’t comment on it. “Hoseok told me you were awake. How are you holding up?”

“I’m fine, I think,” Jeongguk says, smiling a little when Hoseok puts down the tray, resting over his lap. There’s a bowl with chicken noodle soup, bread, eggs and a bottle with orange juice for him. “Thank you so much for what you two did for me.”

Namjoon snorts. “You don’t need to thank us.  It was the right thing to do. We wouldn’t let a rogue wolf wander across the campus when we know they’re always after fresh blood. Worse than vampires.”

“Ugh, don't even start with the vampire-rogue wolf comparison,” Hoseok sighs. Apparently, the beef between wolves and vampires is real, even if Jeongguk has never met one of those before. “At least they clean their own mess.”

“Have you guys ever been into a vampire’s nest?” Taehyung asks, turning his head slightly towards them. “They’re messy. Bloody. I don’t think I can side with them on this one.”

Jeongguk decides to let them discuss their supernatural experiences by themselves and focuses on chugging the noodles with the help of the chopsticks. He’s hungry and doesn’t know anything about any vampire or their nests. He didn’t even know those were real. 

But then, again, Jeongguk didn’t have a lot of chances to interact with other supernatural beings. The soup tastes good, though, and his doe eyes are focusing on both his food and Taehyung, Hoseok and Namjoon discussing who’s worse between a rogue wolf and a vampire. It’s not spicy, but still well-cooked, filled with vegetables and spices on the chicken. 

The environment feels a little like home—his not-boyfriend and his friends having a normal conversation as if Jeongguk wasn’t just attacked by a rogue wolf and almost died. He can live with that.

At least it makes him feel safe.

Ultimately, Hyunjin was innocent.

His brother was blinded by the idea of continuous power and he wanted to use it to take leadership of the pack they came from. Jeongguk and Hyunjin being roommates was a huge yet sad coincidence that facilitated the attack. However, after that, both Namjoon and Jeongguk decided that it would be better for them to switch rooms—the younger wolf wouldn't feel safe under the same roof as the person who practically handed him over to whoever wanted to kill him.

As much as Hyunjin tried to stop the attack, he was still involved. Jeongguk doesn't usually hold a grudge, but one like that is hard to swallow and move on from. It was more than just him affected by Choi Donghun’s claws, so Jeongguk wouldn't be being fair if he just pretended like nothing happened.

Hoseok’s grandparents, the pack leaders, end up taking the lead on what to do about the rogue wolf and Jeongguk feels a little more relieved, even though it took a few weeks for it to happen. He doesn't want to have that responsibility on him, and is grateful to participate in a ritual that breaks the bond between the two and makes him officially a member of that pack.

Jeongguk wants nothing more to do with Choi Donghun. He wants to live his life.

There's a lot going on at the moment and he just wants to get back to normalcy—his home in Busan doesn't feel like anything so normal anymore; Jeongguk got used to the chaotic routine of studying, playing lacrosse and having Taehyung next to him all the time. He has a pack in Seoul now, and friends who care about him, but still, that mid-year break Jeongguk decides to go back to Busan for a while. Hoseok insisted that he could stay and get to know them a little more, after all, it's not like Jeongguk was going to be stuck in the village next to the Han River for the rest of his life. Packs want all members to grow up and create their own responsible lives, but Jeongguk mentioned that he would have the rest of his life for that.

The scars are still on his skin, especially one right on his cheek that doesn't look like it will disappear anytime soon. Jeongguk had a great lupine recovery and his mother was relieved by this, she never imagined that her son's life would be at stake because of all this.

Towards the end of July, Taehyung shows up on his doorstep with nothing more than a backpack over his shoulders and a sneaky smile on his lips. This gives Jeongguk the opportunity to properly introduce him to his mother as his boyfriend. She’s not surprised, though, she saw the way they were acting towards each other back in Seoul and it was only a matter of time before they made it official; they’re in love with each other, after all. She’s happy Jeongguk’s happy, and glad that he has found someone who cares for him as deeply as she does — even if he’s from a family of hunters.

And Jeongguk is happy, he’s really happy. Maybe for the first time in his life.

Epilogue

Two years later

It's Taehyung’s graduation day.

Jeongguk and he talked a lot about how this day was going to be, after all, in Taehyung's mind he will have to go back to Daegu and assume his position as a hunter or be removed from the family. On the contrary, Jeongguk always told him that he had a choice to make and he didn't need to follow the family business if it was going to make him unhappy for the rest of his life. However, Jeongguk recognizes that family traditions are tricky to break free from, so he won't judge him if Taehyung returns to Daegu in a few weeks.

Family traditions are what brought Hoseok and Namjoon together due to their arranged marriage, that is, not all of them are that bad, since the two are completely in love with each other. The wedding is scheduled for next year and Jeongguk has been asked to be Namjoon's best man.

However, it’s obvious that Taehyung doesn’t want to do that. He doesn’t want to go back to the life of a hunter, which Jeongguk believes is too cruel to put teenagers through. At the end of the day, every parent raises their children as they wish and hunters are no different. Jeongguk is just apprehensive about what this means for the two of them — the relationship between a hunter and a wolf could turn out to be complicated.

Yet, despite all that, Jeongguk is still nervous about what waits for them in the future. He’s also saddened that he’s the last one left at the University from his friends, but there are only three more years ahead of him — he’ll have his pack there in Seoul so he won’t be alone. But it still doesn’t make it better because he doesn’t want to break up with Taehyung.

The ceremony is considerably short and Jeongguk is seated between Yoongi and Hoseok in the audience. After the attack on Jeongguk that night after the end of the lacrosse game, the seven ended up becoming friends and the two groups bonded, regardless of being hunters, wolves, and a human all mixed up in a sudden friendship. To this day, Seokjin makes a few jokes about it, saying that Jeongguk was the missing glue for everything to fall into place between them.

Taehyung looks handsome on stage, behind the coordinator of one of today's graduating group courses, who is giving the closing speech. His hair is done in a pompadour and his casual clothes are hidden under his black robe, but Jeongguk knows he's chosen a nice outfit for today, and at a glance, he too sees Jimin on the other side of the stage.

Once the ceremony is over, they are planning to go to a group dinner with an open bar to celebrate Jimin and Taehyung’s graduation. They did this when Hoseok, Namjoon, Yoongi and Seokjin graduated last year, and everything tells Jeongguk that they’ll do the same when it’s his turn in three years. He just hopes that they’re still together by then.

Suddenly, they’re all clapping and getting on their feet while the graduates throw their hats in the air, Jeongguk smiles looking straight at Taehyung. He looks happy with that wide grin of his and eyes curving slightly into crescent moons. It’s one of Taehyung’s softest smiles, one that says that he’s proud of himself and everything he’s accomplished, and since Jeongguk is on the third row, Taehyung spots him easily and sends him a hand kiss. 

Jeongguk feels like he was just overthinking all this situation until now. Maybe it’s simpler than what he was picturing it to be. They’ve been together for almost two years now, and Taehyung wouldn’t leave him behind because of the family business.

However, the last thing Jeongguk imagined would be that he would meet Taehyung's parents that evening. Or at all.

They’ve been dating for almost two years now and, eventually, that would happen one way or the other. Taehyung met his mother even before they started putting a label on themselves, but Jeongguk doesn’t think they’re comparable, after all, his mother was very supportive of him about both the fact that he’s a wolf and that he’s gay—now, Taehyung’s parents are hunters, they hate wolves, and Jeongguk isn’t exactly sure what their take on the LGBTQIA community is; or that they even know that his son is a part of it.

Fun.

On other occasions, Jeongguk had already seen some photos of the two. Taehyung looks just like his father and has the same eyes and hair color as his mother, so it’s not hard to recognize them outside the hall where the graduation ceremony took place, talking to Taehyung and full of smiles on their faces. Jeongguk stops at the last exit steps, stuck in place at the same moment his eyes meet that scene only a few meters away from him. All he knows about Taehyung's parents is that they’ve made life difficult for him since he was a kid, and that Taehyung hasn’t looked back or reached out to them after leaving Daegu for college—the whole relationship was very rocky.

And what do you mean they're in Seoul for Taehyung's graduation?

“Jimin hyung,” Jeongguk calls out, holding his wrist as he glances at him by his side. “Those are Taehyung hyung’s parents, aren’t they?”

“Yeah,” Jimin answers without hesitation, turning his head towards Jeongguk. “I didn’t think they'd come, but they look happy for him.”

Jimin mumbles something about needing to talk to Yoongi hyung right after and continues walking, leaving Jeongguk behind. He only responds with a nod and the truth is that Jeongguk doesn't know exactly what to do.

Should he come out of the stairs and talk to Taehyung, regardless of his parents being there? Does Taehyung want them to know that he is dating another man, and that man is a werewolf?

They look happy, hugging Taehyung and touching his cheeks, but Jeongguk can't read their expressions past that. That is, he remains locked on that step until Taehyung's eyes reach him, making him open a bigger smile and wave in his direction. Taehyung is pulling him closer and his parents’ attention ends up on Jeongguk, who doesn't know where to stick his face.

Maybe he should have just run away. It's what he does best—avoid embarrassing situations as much as he can. However, it's his boyfriend over there and Jeongguk doesn't want to ignore him now that he's just been noticed. So Jeongguk forces a smile and decides to face the wolves head on. Or rather, the wolf hunters with his tail between his legs and a nervous smile stamped on his lips.

“Hi, baby,” Taehyung murmurs, taking his hand as Jeongguk approaches them slowly, bowing slightly towards his parents. “My parents wanted to, uh, meet the person I told them about. So, mom, dad, this is Jeongguk. He’s my boyfriend.”

“Hello, Jeongguk,” his mother says softly, her eyes fixed on their intertwined fingers. Her gaze flickers briefly up to Jeongguk’s face before going back down again, and when she speaks there’s an air of reverence around her words that makes him feel a little uneasy. “Taehyung has spoken very nicely about you. You seem like a lovely young man.”

Jeongguk nods stiffly in response, not certain of what he should reply, but he decides to go with a cliché that always seems to work. “Thank you, Ma’am. It’s nice to meet you.”

There’s something about this atmosphere that makes him feel like he needs to bow every five seconds. They're a bit intimidating and Jeongguk feels his hand sweating against Taehyung’s fingers, who’s been massaging his knuckles from the beginning in an attempt to calm him down. 

It’s definitely not working.

“You’re scaring the boy, darling,” Taehyung’s father points out, touching his wife’s shoulder. “Don’t you see he’s startled? Don’t pay attention to my wife, Jeongguk-ah, she can be a little scary at times, but she’s got a good heart. Taehyung here told me you two met playing Lacrosse?”

Jeongguk nods wordlessly, still feeling a little shaky under their stares. “Yes, sir.”

They don't need to know Jeongguk and Taehyung hated each other's guts at first sight, even if their story is some sort of funny cliche. After all, Jeongguk has no idea if Taehyung told them his boyfriend is a wolf—which will obviously make them hate him more than Taehyung hated Jeongguk in the beginning. And, on the other hand, Jeongguk doesn't know if they will break up and Taehyung will return to Daegu to follow the family business.

It's a big Saturday night and Jeongguk is having a lot of fun. A night full of intentional irony and all his friends avoiding passing by so they don't have to face the beasts called Kim Taehyung’s parents. Yes, Jeongguk has noticed them out of the corner of his eye and will curse every single one of them as soon as he gets out of the situation.

“Anyway honey, tonight is yours with your friends and, uh, boyfriend,” Taehyung's mother says after lengthy comments made by Mr. Kim regarding Lacrosse. Jeongguk didn't know he was familiar with that. “We have a reservation for four at one in the afternoon at a restaurant next to our Airbnb tomorrow. Be there without delay, okay?”

“Of course mom,” Taehyung replies with a smile, receiving a kiss on her cheek. "See you later."

“Bye, Jeongguk-ah, don’t let our son get into too much trouble, okay?”

“I'll keep an eye out, Mr. Kim,” Jeongguk murmurs, still a little shy, but Taehyung's parents give a quick laugh and turn on their ankles to walk away.

It's the most complicated five minutes of silence in Jeongguk's life. Until he turns to Taehyung with his arms crossed, brow furrowed and eyes filled with confusion. “What was that?”

“Huh?” Taehyung says, snapping back to reality after staring at his parents walking away. He turns his head and faces Jeongguk. He scratches his head. “That. Uh. That was my mom’s way of asking if we were coming to lunch with them tomorrow.” 

“I didn’t know they knew we were together,” Jeongguk says, taking a step closer to him. “You told them?”

“Not really,” Taehyung mumbles, licking between his lips. “My younger sister showed my parents a photo of us together and they asked me. They knew I’m bi, but they didn’t know I was in a relationship, and I had some explaining to do—and they decided to come over to my graduation to see me and meet my boyfriend. They, uh, apologized for a lot of things.”

“Oh,” Jeongguk says, a bit uncertain about that situation. He doesn't know why Taehyung didn't tell him about this beforehand. “That sounds nice. I guess. When did all of this happen?”

Taehyung sighs deeply. “It’s been happening pretty recently, to be honest. I think they reached out just last week. I didn't know how to tell you about everything as we were really busy with everything and I didn't believe they'd actually come, and that they had actually changed. I'm sorry I didn't say anything.”

Jeongguk shakes his head. “It’s okay, I think. I was caught by surprise. Do they know I'm a wolf...?”

“They have no idea, no,” Taehyung reassures him. “I haven't even told anyone else. Do you... do you want me to tell them?”

Jeongguk is quiet for a moment, eyes falling to his feet. Part of him wants it—he knows he would probably feel better about having known that Taehyung’s parents are aware he's a werewolf and they’re okay with it, but there are other factors that would make the transition harder than it needs to be. And they have just found out their son is dating a guy. So, maybe it’s best if they have one discovery at a time.

“I don’t know,” Jeongguk blurts out and Taehyung takes his hand, making him glance up. “Maybe leave it for later? They’re hunters, after all, it’s best if they get used to me first and then have the wolf bomb dropped on them.”

The look on Taehyung's face is understandable, he probably knows the mess that must be in Jeongguk's mind and doesn't want to dwell too much on the subject. Then, he gives a brief smile and takes both of his boyfriend's hands, squeezing his knuckles softly as he takes a step closer to him and places their foreheads together.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before,” Taehyung mumbles, eyes perking up to Jeongguk. “Sometimes they’re too much and I get overwhelmed.”

“It’s okay. We can, uh, we can talk more about it later. It’s your graduation day,” Jeongguk says with a little smile. “Should we go meet up with our friends? They’re lurking around to see if we’re doing good.”

Taehyung chuckles and answers him with a nod. 

Although the situation isn’t ideal and Jeongguk has a lot of questions, they’re there to celebrate today and can talk later. If anything, being introduced to Taehyung’s parents is a good signal — one that says that Taehyung doesn’t have the intention of breaking up with him any time soon.

It's a little late at night when they finish their dinner and leave the restaurant, but it's a Friday, the moon is shining brightly in the sky, and Jeongguk has the genes of a creature of the night, and he hasn't had lacrosse training in the last few days and is completely rested. That is, it is as if the day is just beginning for them.

As much as the rest of their group wanted to go to an open bar pub that was in the neighboring neighborhood, Jeongguk and Taehyung preferred to stay behind, even though they were the youngest two of all their friends. There's a lot to be said between the two, and they know they need to talk as soon as possible—especially considering that Jeongguk was asked to join Taehyung's parents for lunch the next day and he doesn't want that to be a stranger between them.

So, it's only natural that they find a fairly quiet place close to the dorms and college to spend the next few hours and talk. It's a public square with street food carts and a few convenience stores still open on the corners across the street, it’s nice to know even though they're not hungry from the huge dinner they just had. Jeongguk sits under one of the trees with both hands on his stomach and stares at the star-filled sky. He knows that far away, in a forest, the view would look much nicer, but he enjoys Taehyung’s company and the way the few clouds on an early summer night seem to form an oddly shaped boat right above them.

Taehyung, on the other hand, snuggles up next to Jeongguk, leaning against the tree trunk and with his arms wrapped around his own knees. At a glance, Jeongguk sees him closing his eyes with a sigh as if he’s trying to put all his thoughts in place before speaking them out loud.

“Are you staying in Seoul?” Jeongguk blurts out, a bit too nervous to say the least. They've been together for  almost two years, but he still gets a bit of jitters whenever they need to discuss something serious. “I’m not… I’m not demanding it. I just… kind of want to know. You've always mentioned going back to your hunter life after you were done with university, and today was your graduation. So I've been wondering what it means for us.”

Taehyung takes a deep breath and opens his eyes. He turns his head to look at Jeongguk, a soft smile on his lips as he brings both hands to his lap, paying full attention to his boyfriend by his side. He seems to be worried as well, but not as much as Jeongguk himself.

“I’m staying in Seoul,” he says, his voice gentle and reassuring and Jeongguk’s lips part in surprise. “I know I’ve talked about going back to hunting, but... I don't know. Things have changed. Being with you has changed me—and I noticed I had to give myself a chance, too, there’s more in life than hunting. I got… I got into a paid internship that starts in a month and my parents agreed to help out, too. They’re… trying.”

Jeongguk feels a rush of warmth flood his chest at Taehyung's words. He takes a deep breath, feeling relieved and happy all at once, his eyebrows are pushed together, and he turns his body to properly face Taehyung. 

“Really?” Jeongguk asks, his voice laced with disbelief, and Taehyung nods. “Wow. I didn’t—”

Jeongguk feels a weight lift off his shoulders as he listens to Taehyung's words, so he doesn’t even know how to continue. He was insecure and uncertain for the past few weeks for no reason and it’s something kind of funny to think about right now.  

“I think they realized they were losing their son and my younger siblings were going in the same direction,” Taehyung continues, his voice coming out much softer this time. “Our society is changing and we’re much more accepting now than what we were in the past. We’ve been trying to understand and communicate with the supernatural instead of putting us all apart — hunters need to understand that not everyone is a monster. Humans also make mistakes and we get to make up for them. Why wouldn’t that be valid for every other being in this world?”

“That’s a nice thought. Do you think they will understand that someday?”

“To be honest, I don’t know. But I’m happy, baby,” Taehyung says, his smile widening and eyes sparkling under the moonlight. “I’m happy here, with you. It’s a type of happiness I didn’t know I was allowed to have. I don't want to leave. I don’t want to put all of this behind. I know it won’t be the same as I’m graduating from college right now and in three more years you’ll graduate as well, and we’ll have different lives, but I want to spend them with you.”

Jeongguk's heart swells with affection at Taehyung's words. He takes Taehyung's hand in his own, intertwining their fingers, and gives it a gentle squeeze.

“I want that too,” Jeongguk says, feeling a sense of contentment settling over him. “I want to be with you, no matter what happens. We'll figure it out together—even if it means telling your hunter parents you’re dating a wolf.”

Taehyung leans in and presses a soft kiss to Jeongguk's cheek after a light chuckle. “I love you, you silly pup.”

“I love you too, hyung,” Jeongguk replies with a gentle smile, his heart feeling full and warm. 

He knew that being in a relationship with a human could come with its challenges, especially when the human in question came from a family of hunters who viewed not only wolves but all supernatural creatures as nothing but dangerous beasts. But he was willing to face those challenges with Taehyung by his side, ready to find out if his parents are actually open to having a son-in-law that isn’t exactly what they expect him to be.

The two of them sit there for a while, holding hands and basking in the warm glow of the moon. The night sky stretches out above them, a canvas of stars twinkling in the darkness and Jeongguk's mind starts to wander, thinking about the conversation they just had. It’s interesting how things have become easier with Taehyung, but he can’t help wondering about something.

“Taehyung,” he says, his voice hesitant. “Can I ask you something?”

"Of course, baby,” Taehyung replies, turning to face him. “What is it?”

“What was it like, hunting monsters?” Jeongguk asks, his curiosity getting the best of him. “I mean, you've never really talked about it in detail.”

Taehyung's expression turns serious as he thinks for a moment. Jeongguk knows that look on him—it’s when Taehyung is trying to put all his words together into a phrase that makes sense and it takes more than a long minute.

“It’s not an easy life,” he says finally, slightly chewing on his bottom lip. “There are dangers around every corner, and you never know what kind of monster you'll be facing. But at the same time, it's exhilarating. There’s a rush that comes with the hunt, with taking down a monster and knowing that you've made the world a little safer, but at the same time there are situations in which it’s just a good person in the wrong time and place and we have to make a judgment call.”

Jeongguk nods, trying to imagine what it would be like to live that kind of life. He doesn’t think he would ever have the stomach for that. “Do you ever miss it?”

Taehyung's gaze softens as he looks at Jeongguk. “No, not really. I don’t like holding people’s lives in my hands. I don’t like being the one choosing if they live or die. It’s not my place or decision to make. I don’t know how my parents can live with it.”

“They’re probably used to it,” Jeongguk comments, shrugging a little as he rests his head against Taehyung’s left shoulder. “Mom’s a scrub nurse, sometimes she has to watch people dying in front of her without being able to help. Unfortunately, it’s something they get used to.”

“Maybe you’re right, but I’m glad I left,” Taehyung mumbles, licking between his lips. “I got to finish my degree, and I got to meet you. Now, I have a lot of things I dream of doing in my future and I’m not letting them stop me.”

He reaches over to brush Jeongguk’s hair back from his forehead. “You don’t have to worry about anything else.”

Jeongguk smiles softly up at him. It’s funny how they used to bicker all the time when they met, and now Jeongguk can’t see his life without him. Taehyung smiles back at him, taking a hand to caress his jawline before pressing a light kiss to his lips.

Maybe getting into the Lacrosse team was worth it after all.

(Which he will only be sure of in a couple of months from now, when Taehyung finally comes forward with his parents about Jeongguk being a wolf. 

They will be interestingly welcoming despite still being rather wary about their son, but Taehyung will believe that is because of Jeongguk’s enchanting doe eyes and warm smile).