New Player Misconceptions
Title: New Player Misconceptions
Pairing: Baekhyun/Minseok; side!Lu Han/Yixing, bff!Jongdae/Minseok
Rating: PG-13
Length: 5k
Summary: Being the quarterback has always been Minseok's thing. Now, he's trying to figure out where Baekhyun fits into all of this. Alternatively - Minseok has decided, in the middle of football practices and games, that Baekhyun is simply and absolutely ridiculous.
Notes: originally for winterlight9092.
Warnings: [spoilers]a couple curse words, sports-related injury, past!Baekhyun/Yifan
It’s Minseok’s first game of the season.
The lights are blinding and the air is stuffy, but he’s never felt more refreshed in his entire life. Running down the field, he carefully eyes the ball in his teammate’s grasp, then dashes off opposite of what was expected. It throws his defender off-guard, scrambling to chase after him, but Minseok knows his small stature is actually an advantage when it comes to football.
He easily dodges his opponent’s block, thanking his previous middle school soccer years for that, and catches Jongdae’s gaze, his right-hand man. They’re the two on the team with the highest bond, and Minseok feels relieved when Jongdae tosses the ball to him across the field, calculating where he’s about to be and aims for that spot. He catches it readily, letting Zitao and Jongin cover his sides, and screams in victory after scoring the point.
He feels himself being picked up from the ground and spun around, already knowing it’s Zitao, and sees Jongin jumping happily in front of him, but when he’s dropped back down, he notices Jongdae hanging back, holding onto his arm.
“We have ten minutes left,” Minseok announces, watching as the rest of his teammates nod eagerly, smiles beaming on their faces. “We’re ahead and let’s keep it that way!”
Jongdae is still standing there, breathing heavily through the metal gear of his facemask, and the worried feeling in Minseok’s chest explodes as he finally realizes why. “I think I overdid it,” Jongdae quietly says when he walks up to him, “And the tackle after I threw the ball to you worsened it.”
Without saying anything else, Minseok understands, immediately searching for their coach off the field and speaking to him through the receiver in his helmet. Jongdae leaves quickly, and Minseok turns away slowly, sprinting towards the center of the field with the rest of their teammates. “Coach, switch Jongdae out. Check his injury.”
They still win the first game of the year, but Jongdae is out for the majority of the season.
The locker room is filthy. It looks like every other locker room created into existence and it’s one of the reasons why Minseok doesn’t understand how he’s survived being in a sports team all his life.
They’ve finally finished their first scrimmage of the season, considering they needed one before the next game at the end of the week, and Minseok doesn’t know if they’re going to be able to keep their rankings up with Jongdae out of commission. He frowns when he picks up Zitao’s jersey and there’s wet dirt on it. Did it rain today? He didn’t notice.
“Sorry I waited so long,” Jongdae says, leaning against his locker. He looks apologetic, arm already in a sling, and Minseok smiles at him to try and disperse his worries away. “I honestly thought I could work it out on my own. I didn’t expect a partial AC separation to happen.”
“What would you expect with your throws?” Minseok asks, voice firm but gaze playful. The look on Jongdae’s face is sullen, but it’s probably because of how long he realizes he’s going to be out completely. “It’s really okay, Jongdae. We’re going to be okay until you’re back on the field with us.”
There’s a lull in conversation, the sounds of their teammates yelling and joking around in the showers, and Minseok flinches when a wet arm lands around his shoulders. There’s an amused glint to Jongdae’s eyes and he wonders why he even calls the man his best friend in the first place.
“I’m sure we can find a replacement and train him to be half as good as Jongdae,” Chanyeol says, smile teasing as he keeps Minseok close to him despite the fact he’s still soaking wet, “Tryouts are this week. There should be some hidden gems in the sea of stones.”
Minseok has finally had enough when Chanyeol reaches over to pull at his jersey to take it off, screeching, “Put some goddamn clothes on, Park!”
Tryouts are uneventful, only three of them going against Jongin and Zitao and actually getting past them, and he feels the unimpressed aura of the crew scattered around when Jongdae reaches over with his left hand and starts drawing some misshaped outline of a llama on his clipboard.
“It’s an alpaca,” Jongdae whispers afterwards, smiling proudly to himself before looking away. The curls of his recent perm bounce with each movement, and Minseok is momentarily entranced before the new recruit comes up center field. “Whoa.”
Minseok doesn’t understand why his best friend looks mildly shocked until he follows his line of sight. Standing in the center of the field between Jongin and Zitao is Byun Baekhyun, a musically focused student who used to date the captain of the basketball team Wu Yifan last year. “I thought he didn’t do sports?” he questions quietly, looking over to Jongdae, who’s still wearing a surprised expression, before staring at his coach beside him who seems oddly satisfied. “What’s-”
“Go ahead!”
Baekhyun doesn’t even do much. A ball is tossed to him and he fumbles with it, catching it right before it hits the ground and he makes a run for the imaginary goal post indicated by two of the veteran players of the team. Zitao and Jongin aren’t doing much either, jogging after the man, but with the way they look too frightened to even touch Baekhyun makes Minseok’s lips twitch up involuntarily.
“What’s even going on?” Jongdae questions, completely bewildered as Baekhyun reaches the end and slams the ball on the ground. He’s cheering, jumping around, and it makes both of them chuckle in spite of the situation. “He reminds me of me.”
“All he’s missing is the gentle touch of the football with the ground and curly brown hair,” Minseok jests back, laughing when Jongdae shoves him with his forearm, “I’m just saying!” His smile softens when he sees Jongdae wince at the movement, reaching over to steady the man gently. “Go home. You don’t have to stay for the whole thing.”
“You’re in!” their coach suddenly yells and they both snap their heads over to see the coach already getting up to greet the newest players.
It doesn’t make sense - none of this does - and Minseok stares helplessly as Baekhyun cheers some more, his smile bright as he shakes their coach’s hand vigorously. His voice is soft, in disbelief, as he peers to Jongin and Zitao who seems just as confused as he and Jongdae are sitting behind the plastic table. “He’s a new player on the team?”
“Didn’t Chanyeol say there would be some hidden gems in a sea of stones?”
Minseok frowns as he ignores his best friend in favor of getting up to greet the new recruits personally. Of course Chanyeol said that, but that doesn’t mean Baekhyun is some sort of hidden gem - how can he be when he’s not really into sports? He can’t even play correctly. His frown deepens when he realizes he has to slightly look up at the man.
“I’m Baekhyun!” His teeth are blinding. It’s starting to rub him the wrong way. “It’s nice to personally meet you, Minseok!”
The shove to Minseok’s back snaps him out of his thoughts, making him reach up to grab Baekhyun’s hand in return. He looks over his shoulder to see Jongin giving him an amusing stare. “Sorry about that,” Minseok says, glaring at his friend briefly and Baekhyun looks confused, “It’s nice to meet you too.”
Baekhyun’s hands are unsurprisingly soft, gripping his hand firmly before letting go completely. That same smile is back and Minseok suddenly feels like he can’t breathe.
“I hope I can be an asset to the team!”
“Asset, my ass,” Jongdae whispers behind him.
Baekhyun doesn’t hear him, raising an eyebrow at them curiously, before walking away to talk to their coach again. Minseok refuses to acknowledge the fact his gaze falls to the man’s hips all because Jongdae said ‘ass.’
The rest of the week is uneventful, practices going on like normal with Minseok wondering why in the hell Baekhyun made the team when all he did was get tackled to the ground and ran around Jongin screaming because he didn’t want to get hurt more than usual, and then it’s the usual Thursday - the day before all Fridays and football games.
Minseok is sitting in the quad, fiddling with a loose string on Zitao’s shirt, and he can’t tell if he’s shaking because of nerves or something else. It shouldn’t be though, because he never gets nervous before game days, and he’s starting to think maybe it has to do with the fact he can see Baekhyun across the yard, talking to the soccer team like he’s been there his whole life, and it confuses him. Minseok thought Baekhyun wasn’t into sports at all, but when he sees him wave at Yifan and some of the other basketball players who walk by, he’s starting to question his previous apparent misconceptions of him. Minseok grimaces when Zitao tries to subdue a burp next to him that sounds disgusting overall.
“Sorry,” Zitao mumbles, too engrossed in eating his burger, and Minseok sighs when he remembers it’s Zitao’s own little ritual before game days. He likes to stuff himself full the day before because he gets too nervous to eat at all the day of the game.
There are loud noises coming from across the yard and Minseok wonders what’s going on when someone sits next to him, lightly singing a tune that sounds familiar to him. The soccer team usually isn’t that loud. “You’re staring pretty hard over there,” Yixing comments, bumping shoulders with him, “You still have that crush on Lu Han?”
Minseok scoffs, returning the gesture, “In your dreams.”
The answer makes Yixing laugh, pulling an earbud out. “It’d be hot, I’m telling you.”
Zitao makes a noise in protest, never willing to listen to Yixing’s fantasies of a threesome with his boyfriend and someone else, and it always makes them laugh. Their moment is interrupted when a loud yelp is heard, similar to the one on the field when Baekhyun gets tackled, and Minseok looks up alarmed only to see Lu Han picking Baekhyun up teasingly before putting him back down on the ground. His heart is speeding in his chest and he doesn’t know why.
“I heard he made the football team,” Yixing says, reaching into his backpack to pull out a mini-pizza from the cafeteria. He opens it up and takes a bite and Minseok decides he’s surrounded by pigs when Yixing talks with his mouth full. “How? Is he actually good?”
“Not at all,” Zitao answers for him, getting up to toss his trash in the nearest bin, “He’s good at getting tackled to the ground though.”
“That sounds hot yet painful at the same time,” Yixing muses aloud.
The way Baekhyun’s smile is bright, brighter than the one given to him in greeting on the field, distracts Minseok from his friends’ odd conversation around him. He frowns in concentration. Baekhyun’s smile is like a rectangle, a rectangle with perfect, pearl white teeth shining through pink, pink lips. What.
Minseok jolts from his seat, eyes wide as he catches Baekhyun’s surprised stare across the quad.
“Seok?” Yixing questions, both he and Zitao looking up at him confused, “What’s wrong?”
Minseok doesn’t answer in favor of getting far, far away from there.
Minseok has learned long ago that he will never be alone, physically or emotionally - because Jongdae has declared ‘broship for lyfe,’ and he relishes in the fact that Chanyeol is clinging onto him, only because Jongdae isn’t there to stave off the man’s touchiness to him. He feels the man flinch when Baekhyun manages to trip and fall on his face and Junmyeon simply hops over him to make it to the goal.
“Honest to God, I thought Baekhyun would be better by now.”
“Honest to God, I still don’t know how he made the team,” Minseok mutters back, watching with a weird ache in his chest as Baekhyun gets up and laughs off the clumsy fall. He looks fine though and it makes the ache in his chest disperse the littlest bit. “What do you think about him?”
“He’s cute,” Chanyeol comments, voice low, “I mean - I can see why Yifan dated him.”
Minseok can’t stop the words before they spill from his mouth. “Why did they break up?” He feels Chanyeol shrug against him.
“I think it was Baekhyun who broke up with Yifan,” he murmurs, wincing when Baekhyun manages to turn to catch the ball and run backwards into Jongin who stumbles forward onto Junmyeon. “Wow. How is that possible?”
Minseok flinches when he hears Jongin yelp and then Junmyeon fussing over him, and Baekhyun is rolling on the ground trying to get his bearings straight. He frowns, walking forward and letting Chanyeol’s arms slip off his shoulders. “Yeah, okay,” he says, looking to the other players to see them doing their own things instead. “Baekhyun.”
The way Baekhyun straightens immediately and tries to look up at him through his large helmet reminds Minseok of a puppy with a large hat on his head. His eyes are surprisingly large and imploring, wondering why he called his name, and Minseok doesn’t understand the catch in his throat, the way the words stop short of falling from his lips. All he does is stare at Baekhyun until the other tilts his head.
“Yes, Captain?”
Oh. “Uh,” Minseok mumbles, watching as interest sparks in Baekhyun’s eyes. He looks absolutely ridiculous in his uniform. It’s endearing. “Take a break,” he ends up saying, feeling his cheeks flush with warmth, “Stretch some more or something.”
“Stretch?” Baekhyun echoes back, confused. He moves to stand up and remove his helmet at the same time, but he fumbles with the straps so much that he tilts over and Minseok has to catch him. He laughs in embarrassment. “Sorry. Sometimes I still have trouble getting this thing off.”
Minseok finds he doesn’t mind it one bit, easily unhooking the strap for him and softly tugging it off of his head. Baekhyun’s smile is small, genuine and embarrassed, and he can’t help but gently wipe off the sweat dripping down the side of his face. “It’s okay,” he says, his own smile small and crooked, “It can be tricky sometimes.”
There’s a shocked look on Baekhyun’s face, eyes wide and mouth parted open, and Minseok jumps in surprise and realization when Jongin walks up to them, staring down at them curiously.
“What are you guys doing?”
Minseok hastily shoves the helmet to Baekhyun, regarding Jongin briefly, before avoiding Baekhyun’s stare and walking over to where Zitao is teaching Junmyeon some nice tricks when it comes to blocking oncoming players. He ignores the burning stare he knows Jongin is giving him in favor of helping Junmyeon prepare for the next game. He doesn’t want to know what Baekhyun is doing.
(Looking over minutes later, he sees Baekhyun on the sidelines, talking to Chanyeol and stretching. When he catches his gaze, Minseok immediately looks away, hearing Baekhyun’s soft laugh ring across the field.)
Baekhyun decked out in his football gear with mud all over him should not be attractive, but Minseok reasons he suffered a concussion when he was slammed into the ground and he saw stars in the sky that could actually just be the raindrops falling from the clouds with the bright lights flashing on them. Then again, he’s rambling in his head and the reason why he’s on the ground now is because of the man leaning over him with his friends staring down at him worriedly.
“Seok?” Baekhyun calls out, and Minseok is a million times sure he just got a concussion. Baekhyun looks more beautiful than he did two minutes ago. “Minseok. Are you okay?”
There’s an arm in front of him and Minseok groans, taking it and picking himself up. Cheers erupt throughout the stadium at his apparent great state and he realizes Chanyeol is the one leading him off the field to get checked by the medical aide. He sighs as he takes off his helmet and takes in a deep breath. Then growls when Jongdae punches him on the arm.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!”
“Baekhyun needs to be benched,” Minseok mutters, plopping on the bench and letting the aide do his thing, “He needs to be benched for the rest of the season and out of my line of sight.”
Jongdae doesn’t look or sound surprised, giving him a knowing glance before standing up to tell their coach his decision. It comes as a surprise to some of them, acknowledging Baekhyun’s speed when he’s being chased by big, muscular guys, but to others, it was just a long time coming and Minseok has finally said it.
And Baekhyun looks absolutely relieved, fumbling with his helmet as he plops down on the bench next to him. Minseok groans when he hears the man whine, having trouble with the stupid contraption, “Help.”
Unlatching the strap a second time is significantly different from the first, considering Baekhyun’s smile is bright and rectangular this time when he gets to tug the offending protection off his head, sending it directly to Minseok with words of gratitude, “Thank you.”
It makes Minseok want to do something destructive and run until he can use that as an excuse as to why his heart is beating so fast, gulping when Baekhyun holds his gaze for a few seconds before looking back out onto the field and immediately cheering for his team. “Yeah! Come on, let’s go!! We can do it!!”
A nudge to Minseok’s shoulder gains his attention, and peering up and over his shoulder, he sees Jongdae gazing down at him with a raised brow. His curls are softening under the rain, but they still retain their perkiness. They don’t exchange words, just tired stares and soft smiles, and it’s during this game that Minseok realizes Baekhyun is the peppiest and cutest benchwarmer he has ever come across.
Minseok is mid-chew when Jongdae sits in front of him, carefully setting his plate down and shrugging off his backpack with his good shoulder. He still has his sling in place, but it’s only for a precautionary reason. He technically doesn’t need it anymore since he’s been going to rehab.
“I’ve been snooping,” Jongdae says in lieu of their usual ‘bro’ and ‘what’, “Baekhyun did break up with Yifan, but it wasn’t because of some dramatic reason like one cheated on the other or something stupid like that.”
Minseok hums to show that he’s listening, gaze intent on his best friend.
“It’s just because they fell out of love or whatever with each other,” Jongdae continues, picking up a fry and dipping it in his ketchup generously, “They figured out they were better off as friends after numerous make-outs and such.”
The mention of locking lips makes Minseok immediately glance over to the soccer team’s little hangout, Baekhyun with them again, this time with Yixing, and he can’t help the way he stares at the man’s mouth, moving and curling around the words he speaks and the way he laughs. He catches his gaze across the cafeteria and he’s pleased to see Baekhyun falter in his speech before he’s looking away to stare at Lu Han instead.
“And I’ve already talked to Yifan. He’s cool with you wanting to date Baek-”
“What?” Minseok blurts out, eyes wide and mouth hanging open and showing his chewed up food, “When did I-”
Jongdae rolls his eyes, throws a fry at him for good measure. “You’re completely obvious when you have a crush on someone. Especially with the way you got angry during the game and took Baekhyun out completely for the rest of the season.” He chews obnoxiously because he knows he’s right. “Anyways, Fan-man is cool with it. I think you two would be cute together. Jongin told me how you wiped his sweat off for him that one day.” His smile is smug when Minseok flushes pink. “That’s already husband status. Just go on and ask him already.”
“That is not husband status,” Minseok mumbles, ducking his head to avoid his best friend’s gaze, “It was just annoying so I got rid of it. You know how I am.”
“Mhm,” Jongdae answers back, sounding distracted, “And lookie here! Hey, Baekhyun.”
Minseok whips his head up at the greeting, looking around frantically only to see Baekhyun still by the soccer team’s table, and he glares at his best friend when he bursts into laughter. “You’re benched for the rest of your life.”
“Wait, that’s not fair!”
Minseok doesn’t expect to see Baekhyun running laps around the large field later that day. To be honest, this is the most he’s ever seen the man do since he joined the team, other than talking and laughing with his group of friends of course. Even when he started noticing him more over the past year because of the basketball team, he didn’t think Baekhyun would be the type to do activities like this, especially by himself.
He wanders over to the other’s bag, smiling to himself when he sees a little cartoon figure embroidered on Baekhyun’s towel, and quietly laughs to himself when a sudden warmth enters his chest at the image. He looks up to see Baekhyun still running, looking completely relaxed yet determined to finish his run, and it makes the feeling in his chest explode.
He leaves before Baekhyun can see him.
The next game is an away game, Jongdae choosing to sit next to Chanyeol instead of next to Minseok, and he doesn’t know whether to curse his best friend to the heavens or not. Next to him, Baekhyun is dozing off, apparently having had a tough exam before the trip, and his music is loud enough to be heard a seat over.
Minseok’s in the aisle seat, choosing to be the edge in case something happens, but he wishes he had the window seat instead so he can look out the window in favor of staring at Jongin’s bare feet two seats ahead. But when he looks out the window, he sees Baekhyun’s head tipping forward before he makes a yip sound and tilts his head back again.
It’s endearing, the way Baekhyun tries to use his backpack as a pillow and get comfortable, and Minseok sighs fondly when he reaches over to gently guide Baekhyun’s head to his shoulder. He doesn’t expect Baekhyun to move in closer, Minseok’s eyes widening at the act, but he suddenly feels a whole lot warmer and a whole lot happier when he settles down and a combination of the man’s music and his yips lulls Minseok into a deep sleep.
The game is 24 to 17, Minseok’s team in the lead, and he hopes to keep it that way as he yells out team plays to his friends. He’s too concentrated in the game, feeling the rush of air in his face and the burn in his muscles, that he doesn’t notice Baekhyun cheering them on from the sidelines. Jongdae is with him too, but they’re not as loud together as everybody thought they’d be.
Minseok gasps as he turns and catches the football, quickly straightening and running for the goal, and trusting Jongin and Zitao are there to keep the other team’s defense players off his back. He screams when he reaches the end, throwing the ball on the ground, and turning around with arms wide as his teammates flood him.
It’s a clear-cut victory, one they’ve been waiting for after their last loss, and Minseok feels like he can fly through the skies on the adrenaline pumping through his veins. Jongdae has an arm around him to keep him locked in place and he yelps when his helmet is suddenly removed from his head to allow him a breath of fresh air.
He doesn’t notice Baekhyun until they dog pile him and all he can see is Baekhyun’s bright smile and messy hair, directed towards him. It makes him light up even more, laughing, because Baekhyun is now complaining about how everyone else is too heavy and he shouldn’t be near the bottom of the pile. He doesn’t look annoyed or aggravated though, gaze sliding back to his with amusement in his eyes.
“You did it,” Baekhyun rasps out, right when another player accidentally elbows him in the back. He grunts, frowning as he tries to turn to see who did it. “Stop flailing everywhere!”
But that just makes Minseok laugh more, pulling a hand free to tangle fingers in Baekhyun’s hair, caress the back of his neck. He can feel Baekhyun jolt against him, looking back at him with wide eyes, and he quickly lets go when the rest of their teammates roll off of them and Jongin and Zitao are helping them up next. He smiles as they pat his back again, all of their faces beaming, but when he turns to look back at Baekhyun, to see his face glowing underneath the bright lights, he’s already walking away talking to Jongdae instead.
These locker rooms are significantly cleaner than the ones they have at their university. Slowly taking off his jersey and padding so he can hit the showers next, Minseok stares in awe. The floors aren’t covered in questionable substances and the lockers literally shine. He didn’t have enough time to appreciate it before the game, considering he had to witness first-hand Baekhyun sleepily undressing to change into his uniform, but now that he’s the last one in here with Jongdae, it’s simply amazing. Who knew this was possible?
“Come on, old man,” Jongdae says, interrupting his train of thoughts, “You can come back next year.”
Minseok frowns, giving him a knowing look over his shoulder. “I graduate this year.”
“Be our coach?” Jongdae says cheekily, “Maybe Baekhyun will be better by next year.”
“I doubt-”
“Are you guys almost done? Coach says-”
Minseok and Jongdae look over to see Baekhyun staring at them, eyes wide and mouth partly open, looking comfortable in their university hoodie and sweats. His hair is mussed, probably from pulling that hoodie over his head, and Minseok really wants to run fingers through his soft hair again.
There’s a moment of silence between them, not knowing how to take the interruption, but then Jongdae sighs in defeat, walking away from his best friend to push Baekhyun into the room. “Baekhyun told me the coach is his uncle,” he informs, giving them a dismissive wave before he’s out the door, “Probably why he’s on the team.”
“What?” Minseok whispers, looking to his teammate with wide eyes. “That’s how you joined the team?”
Baekhyun looks embarrassed, cheeks pink, as he looks at anywhere other than Minseok. He’s fiddling with the sleeves of his hoodie, looking suddenly and uncharacteristically small, and Minseok can’t help but walk up to him, slowly understanding his feelings of wanting to protect this man ever since he first stepped onto the field. He bites his lip as he slowly reaches out to place a hand on Baekhyun’s cheek, gently guiding him to face him. He’s surprised by how much Baekhyun trusts him, moves easily with him.
“I’ve had a crush on you,” Baekhyun blurts out, cheeks turning impossibly pinker, “Ever since I saw you run to take that hit for Jongdae last year. I heard you prevented him from going into surgery because of that.” He’s heating up against his hand, and Minseok finds it cute. “You always take care of him and the team. I thought it was amazing. I wanted to be in a team where someone always took care of them and helped them actually grow.”
Minseok’s heart is speeding and, for the life of him, he can’t tell if Baekhyun actually likes him or not.
“I know I’m not good at football,” Baekhyun continues on, looking down and then away when he realizes Minseok is still shirtless, “So, I was really glad when you called me out and benched me. I don’t know if I can handle another rough tackle without a break in-between.”
“You know you’re strangely endearing, right?” Minseok suddenly says, lips tilting up into a smile. “You look absolutely ridiculous in your uniform and your helmet looks like it’s two sizes too big when it’s really not.” The offended expression on Baekhyun’s face makes Minseok laugh, taking a step back because he really needs to breathe something other than Baekhyun’s laundry detergent. “And you’re seriously clumsy and I don’t really like your smile.”
“Hey!” Baekhyun shouts in protest, frowning at him. “I heard my teeth are gorgeous! It’s my selling quality!”
“They’re not,” Minseok shrugs off, laughing when Baekhyun surges forward to hit him in the shoulder. “They’re just strangely bright and rectangular. I’m surprised boats haven’t destroyed the school because they’re like a beacon of light.”
“Everybody loves my smile!”
Minseok’s smile is smug when Baekhyun hits him again and he lands against the lockers, the sound resonating in the empty room. The other looks shocked at the sudden outcome but then Minseok is tugging on his sleeve and pulling him close so there’s no room left between them.
“You’re absolutely ridiculous,” Minseok breathes against Baekhyun, feeling his full-body shudder. “I never caught the rest of your story though,” he says, keeping all his pent-up tension at bay, “Did you still have that crush on me or not? Because I’d like to take you out on a date this weekend, if that’s okay.”
The way Baekhyun looks hesitant, his gaze shifting between Minseok’s eyes and his lips, has Minseok smiling brighter. He doesn’t make another move though, waiting for Baekhyun’s answer, and he gets it when Baekhyun leans in to kiss the corner of his lips before running away from him altogether, screaming, “Hurry up in there or we’re going to leave you, you jerk!”
Minseok slowly learns that Baekhyun likes calling him names to deal with the fact that he’s very well on his way to dating the hottest quarterback of the university.
Pairing: Baekhyun/Minseok; side!Lu Han/Yixing, bff!Jongdae/Minseok
Rating: PG-13
Length: 5k
Summary: Being the quarterback has always been Minseok's thing. Now, he's trying to figure out where Baekhyun fits into all of this. Alternatively - Minseok has decided, in the middle of football practices and games, that Baekhyun is simply and absolutely ridiculous.
Notes: originally for winterlight9092.
Warnings: [spoilers]a couple curse words, sports-related injury, past!Baekhyun/Yifan
It’s Minseok’s first game of the season.
The lights are blinding and the air is stuffy, but he’s never felt more refreshed in his entire life. Running down the field, he carefully eyes the ball in his teammate’s grasp, then dashes off opposite of what was expected. It throws his defender off-guard, scrambling to chase after him, but Minseok knows his small stature is actually an advantage when it comes to football.
He easily dodges his opponent’s block, thanking his previous middle school soccer years for that, and catches Jongdae’s gaze, his right-hand man. They’re the two on the team with the highest bond, and Minseok feels relieved when Jongdae tosses the ball to him across the field, calculating where he’s about to be and aims for that spot. He catches it readily, letting Zitao and Jongin cover his sides, and screams in victory after scoring the point.
He feels himself being picked up from the ground and spun around, already knowing it’s Zitao, and sees Jongin jumping happily in front of him, but when he’s dropped back down, he notices Jongdae hanging back, holding onto his arm.
“We have ten minutes left,” Minseok announces, watching as the rest of his teammates nod eagerly, smiles beaming on their faces. “We’re ahead and let’s keep it that way!”
Jongdae is still standing there, breathing heavily through the metal gear of his facemask, and the worried feeling in Minseok’s chest explodes as he finally realizes why. “I think I overdid it,” Jongdae quietly says when he walks up to him, “And the tackle after I threw the ball to you worsened it.”
Without saying anything else, Minseok understands, immediately searching for their coach off the field and speaking to him through the receiver in his helmet. Jongdae leaves quickly, and Minseok turns away slowly, sprinting towards the center of the field with the rest of their teammates. “Coach, switch Jongdae out. Check his injury.”
They still win the first game of the year, but Jongdae is out for the majority of the season.
The locker room is filthy. It looks like every other locker room created into existence and it’s one of the reasons why Minseok doesn’t understand how he’s survived being in a sports team all his life.
They’ve finally finished their first scrimmage of the season, considering they needed one before the next game at the end of the week, and Minseok doesn’t know if they’re going to be able to keep their rankings up with Jongdae out of commission. He frowns when he picks up Zitao’s jersey and there’s wet dirt on it. Did it rain today? He didn’t notice.
“Sorry I waited so long,” Jongdae says, leaning against his locker. He looks apologetic, arm already in a sling, and Minseok smiles at him to try and disperse his worries away. “I honestly thought I could work it out on my own. I didn’t expect a partial AC separation to happen.”
“What would you expect with your throws?” Minseok asks, voice firm but gaze playful. The look on Jongdae’s face is sullen, but it’s probably because of how long he realizes he’s going to be out completely. “It’s really okay, Jongdae. We’re going to be okay until you’re back on the field with us.”
There’s a lull in conversation, the sounds of their teammates yelling and joking around in the showers, and Minseok flinches when a wet arm lands around his shoulders. There’s an amused glint to Jongdae’s eyes and he wonders why he even calls the man his best friend in the first place.
“I’m sure we can find a replacement and train him to be half as good as Jongdae,” Chanyeol says, smile teasing as he keeps Minseok close to him despite the fact he’s still soaking wet, “Tryouts are this week. There should be some hidden gems in the sea of stones.”
Minseok has finally had enough when Chanyeol reaches over to pull at his jersey to take it off, screeching, “Put some goddamn clothes on, Park!”
Tryouts are uneventful, only three of them going against Jongin and Zitao and actually getting past them, and he feels the unimpressed aura of the crew scattered around when Jongdae reaches over with his left hand and starts drawing some misshaped outline of a llama on his clipboard.
“It’s an alpaca,” Jongdae whispers afterwards, smiling proudly to himself before looking away. The curls of his recent perm bounce with each movement, and Minseok is momentarily entranced before the new recruit comes up center field. “Whoa.”
Minseok doesn’t understand why his best friend looks mildly shocked until he follows his line of sight. Standing in the center of the field between Jongin and Zitao is Byun Baekhyun, a musically focused student who used to date the captain of the basketball team Wu Yifan last year. “I thought he didn’t do sports?” he questions quietly, looking over to Jongdae, who’s still wearing a surprised expression, before staring at his coach beside him who seems oddly satisfied. “What’s-”
“Go ahead!”
Baekhyun doesn’t even do much. A ball is tossed to him and he fumbles with it, catching it right before it hits the ground and he makes a run for the imaginary goal post indicated by two of the veteran players of the team. Zitao and Jongin aren’t doing much either, jogging after the man, but with the way they look too frightened to even touch Baekhyun makes Minseok’s lips twitch up involuntarily.
“What’s even going on?” Jongdae questions, completely bewildered as Baekhyun reaches the end and slams the ball on the ground. He’s cheering, jumping around, and it makes both of them chuckle in spite of the situation. “He reminds me of me.”
“All he’s missing is the gentle touch of the football with the ground and curly brown hair,” Minseok jests back, laughing when Jongdae shoves him with his forearm, “I’m just saying!” His smile softens when he sees Jongdae wince at the movement, reaching over to steady the man gently. “Go home. You don’t have to stay for the whole thing.”
“You’re in!” their coach suddenly yells and they both snap their heads over to see the coach already getting up to greet the newest players.
It doesn’t make sense - none of this does - and Minseok stares helplessly as Baekhyun cheers some more, his smile bright as he shakes their coach’s hand vigorously. His voice is soft, in disbelief, as he peers to Jongin and Zitao who seems just as confused as he and Jongdae are sitting behind the plastic table. “He’s a new player on the team?”
“Didn’t Chanyeol say there would be some hidden gems in a sea of stones?”
Minseok frowns as he ignores his best friend in favor of getting up to greet the new recruits personally. Of course Chanyeol said that, but that doesn’t mean Baekhyun is some sort of hidden gem - how can he be when he’s not really into sports? He can’t even play correctly. His frown deepens when he realizes he has to slightly look up at the man.
“I’m Baekhyun!” His teeth are blinding. It’s starting to rub him the wrong way. “It’s nice to personally meet you, Minseok!”
The shove to Minseok’s back snaps him out of his thoughts, making him reach up to grab Baekhyun’s hand in return. He looks over his shoulder to see Jongin giving him an amusing stare. “Sorry about that,” Minseok says, glaring at his friend briefly and Baekhyun looks confused, “It’s nice to meet you too.”
Baekhyun’s hands are unsurprisingly soft, gripping his hand firmly before letting go completely. That same smile is back and Minseok suddenly feels like he can’t breathe.
“I hope I can be an asset to the team!”
“Asset, my ass,” Jongdae whispers behind him.
Baekhyun doesn’t hear him, raising an eyebrow at them curiously, before walking away to talk to their coach again. Minseok refuses to acknowledge the fact his gaze falls to the man’s hips all because Jongdae said ‘ass.’
The rest of the week is uneventful, practices going on like normal with Minseok wondering why in the hell Baekhyun made the team when all he did was get tackled to the ground and ran around Jongin screaming because he didn’t want to get hurt more than usual, and then it’s the usual Thursday - the day before all Fridays and football games.
Minseok is sitting in the quad, fiddling with a loose string on Zitao’s shirt, and he can’t tell if he’s shaking because of nerves or something else. It shouldn’t be though, because he never gets nervous before game days, and he’s starting to think maybe it has to do with the fact he can see Baekhyun across the yard, talking to the soccer team like he’s been there his whole life, and it confuses him. Minseok thought Baekhyun wasn’t into sports at all, but when he sees him wave at Yifan and some of the other basketball players who walk by, he’s starting to question his previous apparent misconceptions of him. Minseok grimaces when Zitao tries to subdue a burp next to him that sounds disgusting overall.
“Sorry,” Zitao mumbles, too engrossed in eating his burger, and Minseok sighs when he remembers it’s Zitao’s own little ritual before game days. He likes to stuff himself full the day before because he gets too nervous to eat at all the day of the game.
There are loud noises coming from across the yard and Minseok wonders what’s going on when someone sits next to him, lightly singing a tune that sounds familiar to him. The soccer team usually isn’t that loud. “You’re staring pretty hard over there,” Yixing comments, bumping shoulders with him, “You still have that crush on Lu Han?”
Minseok scoffs, returning the gesture, “In your dreams.”
The answer makes Yixing laugh, pulling an earbud out. “It’d be hot, I’m telling you.”
Zitao makes a noise in protest, never willing to listen to Yixing’s fantasies of a threesome with his boyfriend and someone else, and it always makes them laugh. Their moment is interrupted when a loud yelp is heard, similar to the one on the field when Baekhyun gets tackled, and Minseok looks up alarmed only to see Lu Han picking Baekhyun up teasingly before putting him back down on the ground. His heart is speeding in his chest and he doesn’t know why.
“I heard he made the football team,” Yixing says, reaching into his backpack to pull out a mini-pizza from the cafeteria. He opens it up and takes a bite and Minseok decides he’s surrounded by pigs when Yixing talks with his mouth full. “How? Is he actually good?”
“Not at all,” Zitao answers for him, getting up to toss his trash in the nearest bin, “He’s good at getting tackled to the ground though.”
“That sounds hot yet painful at the same time,” Yixing muses aloud.
The way Baekhyun’s smile is bright, brighter than the one given to him in greeting on the field, distracts Minseok from his friends’ odd conversation around him. He frowns in concentration. Baekhyun’s smile is like a rectangle, a rectangle with perfect, pearl white teeth shining through pink, pink lips. What.
Minseok jolts from his seat, eyes wide as he catches Baekhyun’s surprised stare across the quad.
“Seok?” Yixing questions, both he and Zitao looking up at him confused, “What’s wrong?”
Minseok doesn’t answer in favor of getting far, far away from there.
Minseok has learned long ago that he will never be alone, physically or emotionally - because Jongdae has declared ‘broship for lyfe,’ and he relishes in the fact that Chanyeol is clinging onto him, only because Jongdae isn’t there to stave off the man’s touchiness to him. He feels the man flinch when Baekhyun manages to trip and fall on his face and Junmyeon simply hops over him to make it to the goal.
“Honest to God, I thought Baekhyun would be better by now.”
“Honest to God, I still don’t know how he made the team,” Minseok mutters back, watching with a weird ache in his chest as Baekhyun gets up and laughs off the clumsy fall. He looks fine though and it makes the ache in his chest disperse the littlest bit. “What do you think about him?”
“He’s cute,” Chanyeol comments, voice low, “I mean - I can see why Yifan dated him.”
Minseok can’t stop the words before they spill from his mouth. “Why did they break up?” He feels Chanyeol shrug against him.
“I think it was Baekhyun who broke up with Yifan,” he murmurs, wincing when Baekhyun manages to turn to catch the ball and run backwards into Jongin who stumbles forward onto Junmyeon. “Wow. How is that possible?”
Minseok flinches when he hears Jongin yelp and then Junmyeon fussing over him, and Baekhyun is rolling on the ground trying to get his bearings straight. He frowns, walking forward and letting Chanyeol’s arms slip off his shoulders. “Yeah, okay,” he says, looking to the other players to see them doing their own things instead. “Baekhyun.”
The way Baekhyun straightens immediately and tries to look up at him through his large helmet reminds Minseok of a puppy with a large hat on his head. His eyes are surprisingly large and imploring, wondering why he called his name, and Minseok doesn’t understand the catch in his throat, the way the words stop short of falling from his lips. All he does is stare at Baekhyun until the other tilts his head.
“Yes, Captain?”
Oh. “Uh,” Minseok mumbles, watching as interest sparks in Baekhyun’s eyes. He looks absolutely ridiculous in his uniform. It’s endearing. “Take a break,” he ends up saying, feeling his cheeks flush with warmth, “Stretch some more or something.”
“Stretch?” Baekhyun echoes back, confused. He moves to stand up and remove his helmet at the same time, but he fumbles with the straps so much that he tilts over and Minseok has to catch him. He laughs in embarrassment. “Sorry. Sometimes I still have trouble getting this thing off.”
Minseok finds he doesn’t mind it one bit, easily unhooking the strap for him and softly tugging it off of his head. Baekhyun’s smile is small, genuine and embarrassed, and he can’t help but gently wipe off the sweat dripping down the side of his face. “It’s okay,” he says, his own smile small and crooked, “It can be tricky sometimes.”
There’s a shocked look on Baekhyun’s face, eyes wide and mouth parted open, and Minseok jumps in surprise and realization when Jongin walks up to them, staring down at them curiously.
“What are you guys doing?”
Minseok hastily shoves the helmet to Baekhyun, regarding Jongin briefly, before avoiding Baekhyun’s stare and walking over to where Zitao is teaching Junmyeon some nice tricks when it comes to blocking oncoming players. He ignores the burning stare he knows Jongin is giving him in favor of helping Junmyeon prepare for the next game. He doesn’t want to know what Baekhyun is doing.
(Looking over minutes later, he sees Baekhyun on the sidelines, talking to Chanyeol and stretching. When he catches his gaze, Minseok immediately looks away, hearing Baekhyun’s soft laugh ring across the field.)
Baekhyun decked out in his football gear with mud all over him should not be attractive, but Minseok reasons he suffered a concussion when he was slammed into the ground and he saw stars in the sky that could actually just be the raindrops falling from the clouds with the bright lights flashing on them. Then again, he’s rambling in his head and the reason why he’s on the ground now is because of the man leaning over him with his friends staring down at him worriedly.
“Seok?” Baekhyun calls out, and Minseok is a million times sure he just got a concussion. Baekhyun looks more beautiful than he did two minutes ago. “Minseok. Are you okay?”
There’s an arm in front of him and Minseok groans, taking it and picking himself up. Cheers erupt throughout the stadium at his apparent great state and he realizes Chanyeol is the one leading him off the field to get checked by the medical aide. He sighs as he takes off his helmet and takes in a deep breath. Then growls when Jongdae punches him on the arm.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!”
“Baekhyun needs to be benched,” Minseok mutters, plopping on the bench and letting the aide do his thing, “He needs to be benched for the rest of the season and out of my line of sight.”
Jongdae doesn’t look or sound surprised, giving him a knowing glance before standing up to tell their coach his decision. It comes as a surprise to some of them, acknowledging Baekhyun’s speed when he’s being chased by big, muscular guys, but to others, it was just a long time coming and Minseok has finally said it.
And Baekhyun looks absolutely relieved, fumbling with his helmet as he plops down on the bench next to him. Minseok groans when he hears the man whine, having trouble with the stupid contraption, “Help.”
Unlatching the strap a second time is significantly different from the first, considering Baekhyun’s smile is bright and rectangular this time when he gets to tug the offending protection off his head, sending it directly to Minseok with words of gratitude, “Thank you.”
It makes Minseok want to do something destructive and run until he can use that as an excuse as to why his heart is beating so fast, gulping when Baekhyun holds his gaze for a few seconds before looking back out onto the field and immediately cheering for his team. “Yeah! Come on, let’s go!! We can do it!!”
A nudge to Minseok’s shoulder gains his attention, and peering up and over his shoulder, he sees Jongdae gazing down at him with a raised brow. His curls are softening under the rain, but they still retain their perkiness. They don’t exchange words, just tired stares and soft smiles, and it’s during this game that Minseok realizes Baekhyun is the peppiest and cutest benchwarmer he has ever come across.
Minseok is mid-chew when Jongdae sits in front of him, carefully setting his plate down and shrugging off his backpack with his good shoulder. He still has his sling in place, but it’s only for a precautionary reason. He technically doesn’t need it anymore since he’s been going to rehab.
“I’ve been snooping,” Jongdae says in lieu of their usual ‘bro’ and ‘what’, “Baekhyun did break up with Yifan, but it wasn’t because of some dramatic reason like one cheated on the other or something stupid like that.”
Minseok hums to show that he’s listening, gaze intent on his best friend.
“It’s just because they fell out of love or whatever with each other,” Jongdae continues, picking up a fry and dipping it in his ketchup generously, “They figured out they were better off as friends after numerous make-outs and such.”
The mention of locking lips makes Minseok immediately glance over to the soccer team’s little hangout, Baekhyun with them again, this time with Yixing, and he can’t help the way he stares at the man’s mouth, moving and curling around the words he speaks and the way he laughs. He catches his gaze across the cafeteria and he’s pleased to see Baekhyun falter in his speech before he’s looking away to stare at Lu Han instead.
“And I’ve already talked to Yifan. He’s cool with you wanting to date Baek-”
“What?” Minseok blurts out, eyes wide and mouth hanging open and showing his chewed up food, “When did I-”
Jongdae rolls his eyes, throws a fry at him for good measure. “You’re completely obvious when you have a crush on someone. Especially with the way you got angry during the game and took Baekhyun out completely for the rest of the season.” He chews obnoxiously because he knows he’s right. “Anyways, Fan-man is cool with it. I think you two would be cute together. Jongin told me how you wiped his sweat off for him that one day.” His smile is smug when Minseok flushes pink. “That’s already husband status. Just go on and ask him already.”
“That is not husband status,” Minseok mumbles, ducking his head to avoid his best friend’s gaze, “It was just annoying so I got rid of it. You know how I am.”
“Mhm,” Jongdae answers back, sounding distracted, “And lookie here! Hey, Baekhyun.”
Minseok whips his head up at the greeting, looking around frantically only to see Baekhyun still by the soccer team’s table, and he glares at his best friend when he bursts into laughter. “You’re benched for the rest of your life.”
“Wait, that’s not fair!”
Minseok doesn’t expect to see Baekhyun running laps around the large field later that day. To be honest, this is the most he’s ever seen the man do since he joined the team, other than talking and laughing with his group of friends of course. Even when he started noticing him more over the past year because of the basketball team, he didn’t think Baekhyun would be the type to do activities like this, especially by himself.
He wanders over to the other’s bag, smiling to himself when he sees a little cartoon figure embroidered on Baekhyun’s towel, and quietly laughs to himself when a sudden warmth enters his chest at the image. He looks up to see Baekhyun still running, looking completely relaxed yet determined to finish his run, and it makes the feeling in his chest explode.
He leaves before Baekhyun can see him.
The next game is an away game, Jongdae choosing to sit next to Chanyeol instead of next to Minseok, and he doesn’t know whether to curse his best friend to the heavens or not. Next to him, Baekhyun is dozing off, apparently having had a tough exam before the trip, and his music is loud enough to be heard a seat over.
Minseok’s in the aisle seat, choosing to be the edge in case something happens, but he wishes he had the window seat instead so he can look out the window in favor of staring at Jongin’s bare feet two seats ahead. But when he looks out the window, he sees Baekhyun’s head tipping forward before he makes a yip sound and tilts his head back again.
It’s endearing, the way Baekhyun tries to use his backpack as a pillow and get comfortable, and Minseok sighs fondly when he reaches over to gently guide Baekhyun’s head to his shoulder. He doesn’t expect Baekhyun to move in closer, Minseok’s eyes widening at the act, but he suddenly feels a whole lot warmer and a whole lot happier when he settles down and a combination of the man’s music and his yips lulls Minseok into a deep sleep.
The game is 24 to 17, Minseok’s team in the lead, and he hopes to keep it that way as he yells out team plays to his friends. He’s too concentrated in the game, feeling the rush of air in his face and the burn in his muscles, that he doesn’t notice Baekhyun cheering them on from the sidelines. Jongdae is with him too, but they’re not as loud together as everybody thought they’d be.
Minseok gasps as he turns and catches the football, quickly straightening and running for the goal, and trusting Jongin and Zitao are there to keep the other team’s defense players off his back. He screams when he reaches the end, throwing the ball on the ground, and turning around with arms wide as his teammates flood him.
It’s a clear-cut victory, one they’ve been waiting for after their last loss, and Minseok feels like he can fly through the skies on the adrenaline pumping through his veins. Jongdae has an arm around him to keep him locked in place and he yelps when his helmet is suddenly removed from his head to allow him a breath of fresh air.
He doesn’t notice Baekhyun until they dog pile him and all he can see is Baekhyun’s bright smile and messy hair, directed towards him. It makes him light up even more, laughing, because Baekhyun is now complaining about how everyone else is too heavy and he shouldn’t be near the bottom of the pile. He doesn’t look annoyed or aggravated though, gaze sliding back to his with amusement in his eyes.
“You did it,” Baekhyun rasps out, right when another player accidentally elbows him in the back. He grunts, frowning as he tries to turn to see who did it. “Stop flailing everywhere!”
But that just makes Minseok laugh more, pulling a hand free to tangle fingers in Baekhyun’s hair, caress the back of his neck. He can feel Baekhyun jolt against him, looking back at him with wide eyes, and he quickly lets go when the rest of their teammates roll off of them and Jongin and Zitao are helping them up next. He smiles as they pat his back again, all of their faces beaming, but when he turns to look back at Baekhyun, to see his face glowing underneath the bright lights, he’s already walking away talking to Jongdae instead.
These locker rooms are significantly cleaner than the ones they have at their university. Slowly taking off his jersey and padding so he can hit the showers next, Minseok stares in awe. The floors aren’t covered in questionable substances and the lockers literally shine. He didn’t have enough time to appreciate it before the game, considering he had to witness first-hand Baekhyun sleepily undressing to change into his uniform, but now that he’s the last one in here with Jongdae, it’s simply amazing. Who knew this was possible?
“Come on, old man,” Jongdae says, interrupting his train of thoughts, “You can come back next year.”
Minseok frowns, giving him a knowing look over his shoulder. “I graduate this year.”
“Be our coach?” Jongdae says cheekily, “Maybe Baekhyun will be better by next year.”
“I doubt-”
“Are you guys almost done? Coach says-”
Minseok and Jongdae look over to see Baekhyun staring at them, eyes wide and mouth partly open, looking comfortable in their university hoodie and sweats. His hair is mussed, probably from pulling that hoodie over his head, and Minseok really wants to run fingers through his soft hair again.
There’s a moment of silence between them, not knowing how to take the interruption, but then Jongdae sighs in defeat, walking away from his best friend to push Baekhyun into the room. “Baekhyun told me the coach is his uncle,” he informs, giving them a dismissive wave before he’s out the door, “Probably why he’s on the team.”
“What?” Minseok whispers, looking to his teammate with wide eyes. “That’s how you joined the team?”
Baekhyun looks embarrassed, cheeks pink, as he looks at anywhere other than Minseok. He’s fiddling with the sleeves of his hoodie, looking suddenly and uncharacteristically small, and Minseok can’t help but walk up to him, slowly understanding his feelings of wanting to protect this man ever since he first stepped onto the field. He bites his lip as he slowly reaches out to place a hand on Baekhyun’s cheek, gently guiding him to face him. He’s surprised by how much Baekhyun trusts him, moves easily with him.
“I’ve had a crush on you,” Baekhyun blurts out, cheeks turning impossibly pinker, “Ever since I saw you run to take that hit for Jongdae last year. I heard you prevented him from going into surgery because of that.” He’s heating up against his hand, and Minseok finds it cute. “You always take care of him and the team. I thought it was amazing. I wanted to be in a team where someone always took care of them and helped them actually grow.”
Minseok’s heart is speeding and, for the life of him, he can’t tell if Baekhyun actually likes him or not.
“I know I’m not good at football,” Baekhyun continues on, looking down and then away when he realizes Minseok is still shirtless, “So, I was really glad when you called me out and benched me. I don’t know if I can handle another rough tackle without a break in-between.”
“You know you’re strangely endearing, right?” Minseok suddenly says, lips tilting up into a smile. “You look absolutely ridiculous in your uniform and your helmet looks like it’s two sizes too big when it’s really not.” The offended expression on Baekhyun’s face makes Minseok laugh, taking a step back because he really needs to breathe something other than Baekhyun’s laundry detergent. “And you’re seriously clumsy and I don’t really like your smile.”
“Hey!” Baekhyun shouts in protest, frowning at him. “I heard my teeth are gorgeous! It’s my selling quality!”
“They’re not,” Minseok shrugs off, laughing when Baekhyun surges forward to hit him in the shoulder. “They’re just strangely bright and rectangular. I’m surprised boats haven’t destroyed the school because they’re like a beacon of light.”
“Everybody loves my smile!”
Minseok’s smile is smug when Baekhyun hits him again and he lands against the lockers, the sound resonating in the empty room. The other looks shocked at the sudden outcome but then Minseok is tugging on his sleeve and pulling him close so there’s no room left between them.
“You’re absolutely ridiculous,” Minseok breathes against Baekhyun, feeling his full-body shudder. “I never caught the rest of your story though,” he says, keeping all his pent-up tension at bay, “Did you still have that crush on me or not? Because I’d like to take you out on a date this weekend, if that’s okay.”
The way Baekhyun looks hesitant, his gaze shifting between Minseok’s eyes and his lips, has Minseok smiling brighter. He doesn’t make another move though, waiting for Baekhyun’s answer, and he gets it when Baekhyun leans in to kiss the corner of his lips before running away from him altogether, screaming, “Hurry up in there or we’re going to leave you, you jerk!”
Minseok slowly learns that Baekhyun likes calling him names to deal with the fact that he’s very well on his way to dating the hottest quarterback of the university.