Baseball (VHope)

Fifteen

I woke up around nine the next morning, almost in the same exact position that I was in when Hoseok spent the night at my house. He was curled into my side with his head on my chest, one leg and one arm thrown over me to keep me from going anywhere. Not like I wanted to go anywhere anyways. One of my hands was in his cute bed-head, fingers combing through the messy strands of hair lazily. I wish I could wake up like this every day, but I can't.

Hoseok was awake and drawing imaginary shapes on my shoulder. "Sleep okay, Tae?" he mumbled and I groaned, rolling him on top of me and holding him like a teddy bear. He yelped in surprise and giggled, burying his face in my neck as I nuzzled him. "Mhm," I hummed into his hair, smiling when I felt his hands hold my shoulders. "Did you?" He hummed and nodded against my neck, tickling my jaw with his hair. "Very good."

We held each other close, simply letting the comfortable silence wrap around us like a blanket. I was just about to fall back asleep when Hoseok started to laugh a little bit. "Maybe we should get new shorts." My face burned red at his statement, grip on his waist tightening just a little bit. He laughed and hovered over me, poking my nose and cooing at my embarrassment. "Pumpkin, you know it's okay, right? Come on," he said gently before he rolled off of me and out of the bed. He searched his dresser for fresh pairs of basketball shorts; the pair for me being chucked at my face. "Put those on."

Lucy was making breakfast when we sleepily made our way downstairs. "Good morning, boys," she said cheerily as she flipped a pancake. I smiled at her and Hoseok hummed, slipping a hand under my borrowed shirt to run his fingers up and down my back. "Morning, Lucy. Did you sleep okay?" he asked and his aunt nodded, a sigh leaving her lips. "I just feel really heavy though." I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling of Hoseok's fingertips on my skin as they continued conversing.

"Hoseokie, you're like the Taehyung-whisperer," she laughed when she finally noticed me all but purring as Hoseok rubbed my back. I chuckled lightly and leaned into my boyfriend. "It just feels really nice," I reasoned, but it was barely audible. "Anyways, Hoseok, you have a tournament this weekend, right?" Lucy said as she turned her attention back to the pancakes on the stove.

My boyfriend nodded as he rested his chin on my shoulder. "Well, this upcoming one. If it was this weekend, we'd be on the fourth inning of the first game right now," he said, chuckling at the end and I huffed out a laugh with him. Lucy's smile dipped just a little. "Hobi, the baby's due really soon. If she comes this week, I might not be able to make it to your tournament. I'm really sorry," she sighed. Hoseok and I both frowned at her. "Lucy, not to be disrespectful, but if the baby's coming, you obviously can't delay. If anything, I'd say that's motivation to win the game for Hoseokie," I said, voice unwavering.

I looked to Hoseok, who nodded in agreement. "It's okay, Lucy. My little niece will be born on a victory. Her birth will be a victory, but you know what I mean," he said, chuckling nervously. Lucy smiled at us and handed us our pancakes. "You guys are ridiculous. But you made me feel better, so..." The three of us burst into laughter.

I tried to conceal my nerves and panic as I walked down the halls, Hoseok's arm secured around my waist. It was too hot for his Letterman now, so he was clad in one of my thin hoodies that I got from the baseball team at the first and only game I ever went to. It had his name and number on the back anyways, so for all anyone else knew, it was his hoodie.

People stared at us with judging eyes, but Hoseok paid them no mind. No one would try to bother us after what happened with Yeri. No one would test Jung Hoseok ever again. Some of the baseball team noticed us; the ones with their girlfriends. They stared as us for a minute, before the girls smiled at me and waved. I gave them a sheepish smile back as we stopped to chat. Hoseok bumped fists with his teammates and chatted about the upcoming tournament as the girls crowded around me.

"We just really want to apologize for all the glares, Taehyung," one of them - I think her name was Jeongyeon - said guiltily. I shrugged and glanced over at Hoseok, who was still chatting animatedly with his friends. "It's honestly okay. You didn't cause any harm," I mumbled, avoiding their soft eyes and gentle smiles. Girls tended to make me uncomfortable, mainly because I was gay as hell.

Another girl - I only knew her as Janie - pushed her glasses up her nose. She was more real than any of the other girls in my high school. People were still amazed that her boyfriend was first baseman Jooheon. "Our boys are just really protective of Hoseok, so we kind of went along with them. We all know and love Hoseok. Someone breaks his heart, the baseball family breaks his heartbreaker's face," she said nonchalantly. I chuckled a little, trying to hide the fear that most likely shone in my eyes.

The last girl - a cute little sunshine named Momo - walked forward and held my hands. I knew she was a very touchy person; always needing to hold a friend's hand or ruffle their hair. Right then, she was just trying to reassure me. "Listen, and I think I speak for the entire baseball family when I say this. We're really thankful you're Hoseok's boyfriend. From what we've heard, you're a sweet, talented boy who really loves and looks after him. And he looks after you. It's so sweet and we all hope you guys stay together," she said quietly. The two other girls nodded and all patted my shoulders.

I smiled bashfully and looked at my shoes as I let go of Momo's hands. "Thanks, girls. I'm so glad you guys feel that way about me. And I hope Hobi and I work out, too," I muttered and they all squealed happily. "You're coming to the tournament, right?" Janie asked, bouncing on the balls of her feet. I shrugged. "I don't know. I don't do really good with crowds, loud noises... I'm a walking ball of anxiety," I admitted and they all cooed.

Jeongyeon punched my shoulder lightly. "Well I know the JiKook couple is going. And I know Min Yoongi is going, too. And Park Chanyeol. Aren't they your friends?" she asked and I nodded. "Then stick with them. I'm kind of friends with Jungkook, and he says you are his childhood friend. So I think you'll be in good hands." She winked and moved a piece of her black hair behind her ear. I shrugged and they all made fake-agitated noises.

"Please, Taehyung? At least one round," Momo said and I sighed. "Okay. I will," I gave in and they all squealed excitedly again. "See you there!" they said in unison as they all said goodbye to their boyfriends, then went their separate ways to their classes.

Hoseok linked his arm with mine and pecked my cheek. "You're opening up. I'm proud of you, pumpkin," he muttered against my cheek and I turned my head to peck his lips. "You give me courage. See you at practice," I replied as he dropped me off at the art room, where Mrs Jeon was smiling knowingly at us.

okay, so the first half of this is horrible, but it got better in the end - quality wise, at least. filler. tournament is next chapter. I might go on hiatus before I finish this, so I'm keeping the ON HOLD until then, okay? Happy Days!

- Tae