PLAY BALL | minsung

two

Jisung was sure the first day of a new job had to be terrifying to anyone, but he just knew nothing could ever top going into the Los Angeles Angels baseball stadium to practice with the big leagues (and a fucked up sleep schedule).

He felt like he was walking on air, he was shaking with nerves, he couldn't get the idea of playing with the Halos out of his head.

He could feel it to his core, he knew something would just have to go wrong today. Jisung not royally fucking up would be something short of a miracle.

Woojin wasn't surprised he had to drag Jisung out of bed, in fact it was quite common, but long after he was out of bed and slowly sipping his coffee he still wasn't moving. He was standing in the corner of the room, clutching his cheap hotel room coffee tightly in his hands, Woojin was worried he might break the styrofoam cup if he clung any harder. Jisung almost looked like a crazy person, staring off at the floor, wide eyed and tapping his foot.

Woojin had to take the cup calmly out of his hands and pull him into a hug, saying something about doing it for his team, and that he didn't need to worry.

Even now, when Chan's bright smile pulled up shuttle and all, Jisung was still a little shaken, but functional still.

A nice shower and a few more pep talks from Woojin and Seungmin made him at least slightly human, and maybe if you squinted you could see him smile at Chan before he got into the shuttle.

Changbin shuffles slightly in the seat next to him, done looking out the window for the morning. He spots a sleepy Seungmin holding Jisung's hand, and recognizes the situation.

Jisung cannot confirm or deny that he jumps when Changbin speaks to him in the silent car. Seungmin was already nodding off again, the only one who still refused to drink coffee out of the lot and Chan and Woojin were quietly chatting, talking about the beauty of the cloudy grey morning, something only a 6am car trip could bring to the table.

"Hey, I know you're nervous," he has a comforting look on his face, something Jisung is sure he's never seen before, "but it's going to be okay, no matter what happens today, we're still a team, and that means when it comes down to the wire we'll all still have to be there for eachother," he chuckles quietly, not to break the tiny silence barrier in the car, "even the damn Doosan bears."

Jisung chuckles looking down and his twiddling hands, Changbin comfortingly places and hand on the younger's knee, "And if anyone tries to make you feel out of place, I will personally beat their ass."

Jisung giggles brightly, "I don't know if I'm worried about picking a fight with anyone," he sighs, trying to let out his anxiety, "I guess I'm just worried that I won't be good enough for everyone else."

Changbin has genuine look of care on his face, almost a sweet look, "Don't say that."

Jisung starts to spiral, mumbling and messing with his fingers some more, "There's going to be so many amazing American players, people I could only dream of playing with, and did you hear that the Doosan Bears are bringing that one kid Yang Jeo-"

The older cuts him off before he can psych himself out even more, "Hey, hey, what the hell are you even talking about?" Changbin makes the younger look him in the eyes, Jisung pouts, "But he's a prodigy."

Changbin sighs and leans back against the car seat more, "You know when I was traded to the twins, I was this nervous my first day too?"

Jisung raises his eyebrows, large curious eyes, "Really?"

Changbin laughs quietly, "Yeah, I was worried that because I was older and less experienced you might look down on me, like previous teams had," he playfully punches the younger's shoulder, "and you see how that turned out."