Chapter Text
“Congratulations to our player of the game, none other than Hybe Team Captain, Min Yoongi. He scored a triple double in three consecutive games this playoffs and is going to the finals once again. It isn’t the first time he’s done that. Back in 2022, he’s also done the same, in ALL three seasons, that led him to bag both Rookie of the Year and MVP awards. Wow! Such an amazing feat, but nonetheless expected of a player of your caliber. Isn’t it? Say hi Yoongi oppa.” Courtside reporter Nakamura Kazuha joyously presents in detail, looking at Yoongi like he hung the stars.
Yoongi looks back at her, marveled by her expression, not knowing how to react. He just awkwardly smiles back. Then he looks at the camera, waving shyly. “Uhhh h-hi everyone? *cough*. I m-mean t-thanks for watching the game and supporting the league.”
The cameraman and the other staffs cooed at his cute and shy expression, their sounds being heard on the broadcast.
The interview went well that distracted Yoongi a bit, momentarily forgetting about what transpired (for the nth time), as he talked about the game proper, the challenges along the way, and what the fans could look forward to in the finals.
After the interview, Kazuha suddenly kissed his cheeks, causing the staffs and crew to get surprised as well but later on they were cooing and cheering loudly. Yoongi was too stunned to say anything that he just remained frozen on the spot. Kazuha visibly reddens afterwards as she holds her in-ears firmly, perhaps listening to the anchors on the other end who might be teasing her. Yoongi just ducks his head, gently signals that he’s going, waves at the camera with a shy smile, and speedily walks towards the locker room no longer waiting for the crew’s instruction.
*****
[LOCKER ROOM]
“Dude, that was *whistles* ~~~” Taehyung, Yoongi’s teammate singsongs.
“Shut up Tae!” Yoongi pushes him away gently with a pout. Tae cackles, enjoying his reaction.
“Taetae!” Jimin, Taehyung’s boyfriend and their teammate, shushed him. Then he faces Yoongi. “Hyung, what was that about? Like, wow, she memorized your stats and achievements and never fails to mention them during your interviews. Oh, and remember that time when she even mentioned that you’re out of the country, saying that’s exclusive information and it’s her treat to your fans? I mean, do all other court side reporters do that?” Jimin crosses his arms, half amused but half worried about the stalking.
Yoongi shrugs, trying to play it cool. “Maybe she’s just doing her research thoroughly.” He sits down on one of the benches to untie his shoes and remove his socks.
Jungkook, one of their teammates and closest friends, is having none of that. He knows Yoongi is bothered despite trying to play it cool. “Well, okay, she knows tidbits about your professional and personal life a liiiittle bit too much, suuure, that’s just part of her job.” Jungkook rolls his eyes and scoffs. “But what about that cheek kiss? On live broadcast. It was quite over the top, wasn’t it?” He just felt like Yoongi was somewhat violated by her actions but is just too polite and shy to say anything.
“I agree with Jungkook. Her actions were getting bolder. I think you should show or tell her that she’s been crossing the boundaries hyung. Otherwise she’d think it’s okay.” Hoseok, one of their friends who’s temporarily part of the coaching staff tries to push. It’s not his place of course, but only if it is, he wouldn’t have allowed that girl to be at close proximity with Yoongi at all. He also feels protective of their friend because as they all know, he’s naturally kind, and sometimes others seem to be taking advantage.
Their group of friends doesn’t really like Kazuha’s flirty behavior. Or, well, they don’t really like her that much at all. It’s not that she’s a bad person. She seems nice but they never really gotten close to. And lately, since her and Yoongi’s “courting”, as fans say, started getting more attention, she also started becoming too close for comfort with Yoongi and it doesn’t sit well with them.
Yoongi sighs deep. He could feel both concern and irritation bleeding out of them. He does agree with their observations. He indeed feels awkward as hell with everything that’s been going on. But it’s hard to do something about it. Every time she does something, it’s always taking him by surprise and it’s always on camera or in front of the fans. Reacting to it publicly in rejection or disagreement would be disrespectful and will embarrass her. Even if he isn’t that naive to not see what she’s doing, he wouldn’t want to deliberately do something like that. He also doesn’t want to be so full of himself and get himself embarrassed in the end, especially if Kazuha denies it. In this society, with Kazuha being a female omega and him a male alpha, it is by societal norms that he respects her, otherwise there will be repercussions. That’s why with this dilemma, perhaps the most he could do is just to not reciprocate her advances, or so he thought.
The other players have been noticing it as well, and perhaps other courtside reporters and anchors too. Some of them who’ve been seeing Kazuha’s behavior as odd, that she was only doing it for show, were just riding along. Somehow they understand the undercurrents of these courtship dynamics, that it is helping the league get more attention especially online. The management seem happy about it and were even being supportive, otherwise they probably would’ve issued some kind of work ethics notice, but there’s none. They even almost always assign her to Yoongi’s games, especially when people online always trend about the two.
Sometimes Yoongi had thought of giving in, that mayhaps it isn’t all for show, that maybe she’s really interested and just doesn’t want to be upfront about it. He even thought, what could go wrong if he tries again in the romance department? But then again, who is he kidding? They don’t even have friendship to begin with. They don’t even communicate on social media, neither do they interact much during events. She barely even looks at him during breaks, when cameras are off, or when outside the game. She’d only approach him when she needed some information or insights for her interviews.
So is Yoongi at an impasse? Very much likely. Thinking about it just hurts his head, just like now.
He just sighs once again and went inside the shower rooms, not being able to give any further response. They seem to understand it as well. Yoongi is obviously deep in his thoughts that’s why they didn’t push any further. But, they don’t intend to completely drop the subject. They will still talk about it one of these days privately, because they’re worried and they want to protect him.
*****
[TAEHYUNG’s HOUSE]
It’s a month of celebration this December. The team winning the play offs, Christmas will be in a few days, and then Tae’s birthday will be on year end. They decided to have a one time private celebration for all those occasions, because when the finals starts, they wouldn’t have this opportunity again.
Yoongi, Hoseok, Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook, started being friends way back in their collegiate years. They were from different schools and were even rivals back then. But in private, they became closer than ever, almost like brothers. They didn’t start as teammates when they entered the professional league, but they were pleasantly surprised after all those trades, negotiations, deals and alike, that they became teammates this year. Hoseok is only part of the coaching staff temporarily due to some technicalities, but he was promised that he can play again after the issue has been resolved.
It was all fun and games since they arrived. The cheerful vibe is high. Jimin whines as he loses each time. Taehyung has no mercy at his boyfriend, laughing like crazy whenever he defeats him, but also kisses him afterwards. (Their relationship is only known to the team and they managed to keep it private). They make fun of Hoseok who’s as red as a tomato with his low alcohol tolerance and his confusion with the game rules. Jungkook just cooly poses with a smirk everytime he wins. Yoongi is just happy that he isn’t at the last place.
Later on they sang Taehyung a happy birthday and make him blow his birthday cake candles. Chaos ensues as they ran after each other, putting icing on their faces, laughing like kids.
And now, as the night approaches and they’re all sprawled on different sides of the floor, the topic of romance begins.
“So, are you guys gonna get married soon?” Hoseok asks Taehyung and Jimin who both blushed at the question.
“Hyungie…” Jimin whines. “Don’t preempt it. I have plans. It wouldn’t be a surprise anymore if Taehyung anticipates it already.” He sulks like a kid, kicking his foot on the sofa. Hoseok cackles at the reaction, apologizing while catching his breath.
Taehyung just smiles and stares lovingly at Jimin. For him, it doesn’t matter when or how, his heart is already married to Jimin and will definitely say yes when he pops that question.
“What about our youngest? Any prospects?” Yoongi asks as he side eyes Jungkook.
Jungkook shakes his head, almost complaining with a pout, saying he’s still young for that. Well, he isn’t. But even if he isn’t aware, he always acts like the group’s baby, sometimes even their other teammates treat him as such, but he will fight anyone who calls him cute (except for his fans).
Hoseok is already married to his long time boyfriend Namjoon, who began working overseas after their graduation, so they didn’t ask him anymore. They know that at this state that he’s tipsy, he will most certainly cry even at the mention Namjoon’s name. They know how much he misses his husband. They haven’t met him in person but they were able to be friends with him online.
“You think we wouldn’t ask you huh hyung?” Taehyung probes at Yoongi.
“Why me?”
“Well, since you didn’t have a relationship after Ji-Eun noona.” Jimin challenges.
“…”
“Are you still hung up on her?” It’s Hoseok who asks this time.
“No, of course not. We’ve both moved on. She’s happily married. I’m happy for her. And I… well… I’m happily married too…”
“With basketball!” Jungkook scoffs, making them all laugh as Yoongi agrees with him wholeheartedly.
“Basketball is my life.” Yoongi says with flare.
“What about Kazuha? Isn’t she overreaching your boundaries? What if you manage to meet someone but her closeness interferes with it?” Jimin seriously asks. He hates that he’s reminded but he knows they have to talk about it.
Yoongi pouts. He’s been thinking about it as well. It’s not that he’s looking for someone. He’s just admittedly getting bothered with the attention to their “love team” which isn’t even real.
“You all know the truth. I’m not even courting her. It’s all… getting ridiculous.” He voices out. “But I also don’t know what to do. I couldn’t possibly reject her on air. And obviously, privately, we aren’t even interested in each other.”
“What if you talk to her?” Hoseok tries.
“Wouldn’t that make me full of myself? She might even say I’m just reading too much into it or accuse me of just misinterpreting things.”
“But she’s making too much advances on camera. What if you just tell her that it’s not okay with you, immediately after she does something again?” Jimin insists.
Yoongi contemplates, but after a while shakes his head and shivers. “That’s… that’s creepy to even think about. I mean, that she would do something again.”
The other guys also shook their heads with that image and playfully blamed Jimin for even bringing it up.
“I guess Jimin is right though. I guess I have been respectful long enough. So when she does it again, I should take the opportunity to talk to her.” Yoongi shrugs. He can’t think of anything more.
They all just sighed and hugged Yoongi to show support.
“Well” Hoseok claps and smiles. “Merry Christmas in a few days guys. Let’s spend the most out of it with our families before finals take over our time and focus.” He raises his glass of soju, “And here’s to our Taehyungie! For more blessings and good health!”
They all followed along, saying each of their wishes for themselves and each other for Christmas, and also for Taehyung on his birthday, and then clinking their glasses on the air afterwards.
“And let’s not forget, cheers to our very first championship together! Let’s claim it!” Yoongi says in high spirits and they all followed along.
They ended the night sleeping on Taehyung’s king sized bed, with the couple cuddling on the middle, Hoseok and Jungkook on both edges, and Yoongi on the pull out bed.