Anyone, But A Jock | Jikook (Mini)

Chapter Eight: The Rival

"JIMIN-AH!" Jung Hoseok, the star batter for SNU, sang out, squatting on his chair as he held up his plate and banged it with his spoon like a gong in a tipsy attempt to get the team's attention. His smile was so contagious that Jimin quickly found himself grinning back despite his nerves.

"Hey, Hoseok-ssi," Jimin said, his fingers lightly brushing small circles on Jungkook's wrist where he held onto him, grounding his social strength in the alpha behind him. Jungkook didn't acknowledge the gesture, but Jimin noticed how he grew more careful with his movements. It is as if Jimin were a cat, and one wrong move might scare away the touch.

"Hyung! Jimin-ah, call me Hobi-hyung. That guy you can call Ahjussi," Hoseok said, pointing his spoon at Yoongi.

"Dog, fuck off," Yoongi replied, rolling his eyes. His pale cheeks flushed pink from the beer in his hand. "I'm only one year older than you. The disrespect this kid shows me? Unbelievable."

Hoseok settled back in his seat, flicking a chicken wing bone toward Yoongi. Yoongi caught it, and a feral smirk spread across his lips. He slowly placed it down calmly next to his beer with a light pat. It was both a promise and a threat to toss it back when Hoseok least expected it.

"Jimin-ie, sit down," Yoongi said, shifting his focus from Hoseok to an empty chair at the table behind them. Yoongi leaned back on the legs of his chair, pulling it forward and making room next to Jungkook's seat to squeeze Jimin in. Jungkook released Jimin, a giddy look brightening his handsome face as he gave Jimin an encouraging nod. Jimin sat down, wiping his palms on his thighs again and glancing at his friends' table. Seokjin blew him a kiss, and Jimin felt his nerves begin to ease a little more. There had to be at least twenty new faces at the table.

"So, what did you think, Jimin-ie?" Yoongi asked, ruffling Jimin's hair just as Jungkook sat beside him. "Our Jungkook-ah played pretty well, right?"

Jimin nodded, and while Yoongi was distracted with teasing their teammate's cute roommate, Jungkook stole the last kimchi pancake sliver Yoongi had saved for himself. The chopsticks came in a flash; Jimin swore he felt the wind hit him as they moved past. Jungkook's pupils nearly swallowed his irises, his expression showing nothing but lethal focus to steal the slice. Jimin snorted. Jungkook really didn't play when it came to food.

Yoongi gaped; absolute despair etched into his cat-like features when he reached for the slice only to find nothing left on his place. The pitcher narrowed his eyes on Jungkook. "None of you know how to respect your elders. You should be happy Jimin-ah is here, Jungkook - or your ass would be in a grave."

"Dog, I thought you didn't want us to call you Ahjussi," Hoseok chimed in.

Yoongi grinned. "Nah, I prefer Jeong-ha."

"What? Like you're a king? I swear I've seen you wear a cardigan before. Ahjussi suits you better." Jimin laughed, then blushed as the athletes looked at him in surprise. He blinked, worried he had said something wrong, but then Hoseok erupted into laughter.

"Yah, JK, I like him!" Hoseok said, and Jimin felt a rush of warmth at the compliment, his cheeks flushing even more. He tilted his head up to Jungkook, who was looking down at him with nothing but pride. A light wave of calming pheromones emanated from Jungkook whenever Jimin felt overwhelmed by the attention. Subconsciously, Jimin leaned into the warmth of Jungkook's presence, finding comfort in the pheromones for once instead of a headache. Jungkook was careful of how many he put out, toning it down from the strength he'd once done before, knowing Jimin was sensitive to it. It made Jimin bite back a smile; it was sweet.

Jungkook leaned his elbows on the table, casually stealing bites from different plates, his forearm resting comfortably against Jimin's the whole time. Each time he swiped something, he'd drop it onto a shared plate between them, giving Jimin the option to take a bite. When Jimin hesitated, unsure if he could eat with all the nerves battling it out in his stomach, Jungkook grinned, happily finishing it himself. Their silent exchange was almost a conversation of its own, their eyes meeting with quiet words and trading private smiles.