Anyone, But A Jock | Jikook (Mini)

Chapter Ten: The Pack

"You alright?" Jungkook asked with a creased brow, helping Jimin up the steps to Hoseok and Yoongi's apartment. It was only a short walk away from their place, but the color from Jimin's cheeks had drained with each step. Jungkook slowed down to match Jimin's pace, holding a case of beers for the guys in one hand and guiding Jimin with the other.

Jimin nodded, catching his breath. "Yeah, don't worry. I'm okay. Just feel super lightheaded."

Jungkook's eyes scanned Jimin with the sharp precision of a batter tracking a fastball. "Let me know if it gets worse," he said. "We can always leave early. Hobi-Hyung won't mind."

"I will," Jimin said softly, biting his lower lip. Jungkook took a protective step closer, his broad frame shadowing Jimin's smaller one as he reached for the unlocked door. With a gentle motion, he swung it open, and his hand instinctively found the small of Jimin's back. The touch was light, but it anchored Jimin, steadying his unbalanced steps as they walked inside together.

"You guys made it!" Yoongi called from the kitchen; his voice was warm as he popped the cap off a beer. His grin turned feline at how close Jimin and Jungkook were standing.

Jungkook nodded, placing the box of beers on the kitchen island before reaching over to clasp a hand with Yoongi. Hoseok approached them next, sitting up from where he had been talking with Taehyung. Jungkook greeted him with a handshake before pulling him into a side hug, Hoseok's ever-present smile beaming warmly as he turned his attention onto Jimin.

Jimin took a small step closer to Jungkook until their shoulders lightly overlapped, leaning into him just a little as he drew a shy breath. Hoseok's apartment felt so different from the loud, chaotic energy of the bar the other night. It was nice - much more Jimin's pace – but he still felt slightly anxious.

"Hey, Hobi-hyung," Jimin greeted, letting out a soft "oof" as Hoseok pulled him into a warm hug. Hoseok stepped back, giving Jimin's shoulders a light tap.

"What can I get you, Jimin-ah? Wine, beer, whiskey?"

Jimin laughed, stealing a quick glance up at Jungkook, who grinned back at him. It was almost like he was silently asking Jungkook what to drink, only for Jungkook to point at the case of beers with a deadpan expression like the answer was obvious. Jimin felt his cheeks flush as he rolled his eyes, playfully elbowing Jungkook in the chest. Jungkook clutched at his chest dramatically, pretending to gasp in pain.

"Beer sounds great," Jimin said, his gaze drifting to their friends gathered around Hoseok's coffee table in the living room. The space was larger than he expected, dominated by a big TV and surrounded by a chaotic wall of posters. It looked like a collection of random things Hoseok and Yoongi had picked up over the years of living together - party photos, torn jerseys from games, even lease notices for being too loud. There were a few other decorations that Jimin figured only a group of jocks could appreciate - like a massive, totally out of place cactus sitting inexplicably in one corner. Beside it was a small, plastic Christmas tree decked out with reusable plastic bar cups that discounted drinks when you brought them to the right bar.

"Or actually," Jimin said, noticing Namjoon sipping a dark liquid in a glass. "Is Namjoon having whiskey? Can I have that instead?"

Hoseok beamed again. "Of course," he said. "Take your shoes off and sit down. I'll bring it over. Jungkook, you grab your own beer, buddy."

Jungkook snorted, and Jimin poked him in the side as if to say, Hobi likes me more than you, to which Jungkook pursed his lips.

Jimin glanced over to see Namjoon and Seokjin deep in a card game while Taehyung lounged nearby, scrolling casually on his phone while waiting for Hoseok to return. When Taehyung noticed Jimin, he shifted to wave with a happy box smile on his lips. He reached out and lightly tapped Seokjin on the shoulder.