"Bring me down, tear me up, take my very last buck
   Go to class, kiss my , it'll bring you good luck"
                                            "Never Be Yours" Kali Uchis

“With all due respect, I think it’s ridiculous that I have to try out for this team. You know me, you’ve seen me play for the past few years. I should automatically be on the team.”

The complaint was met with a hardened expression. “No disrespect intended, Taeyong, but try outs are for every member of the team, including those on the previous year’s squad. No one is exempt.”

Taeyong crossed his arms, trying not to glare. “No one except Kim Hanbin, you mean.”

“Yes, everyone except Hanbin, but that would be due to his position as captain. He will be running the try outs with me.”

Taeyong shook his head, fingers digging into his arms. This was so embarrassing. “You know I’m just as good as he is, I don’t think I should be held to different standards.”

Kim Jong Kook, Whimoon’s basketball coach, sighed in exasperation. “I understand you’re in a difficult place, relocating in your last year. I assume you would have been named captain had you remained at your previous school. But you have changed, so unfortunately I have to treat you the same as everyone else. How would it be fair if you came in from outside and automatically had a spot? That’s not fair to the others who’ve been on this team from the beginning.”

Taeyong was in a bad mood, though, and was more than willing to test his new coach’s limits today. “Then why doesn’t Hanbin also have to participate in the try outs? Why does he automatically get on, and why is he automatically captain? That’s not fair.”

Jong Kook was silent for a moment before answering. “Are you trying to say that you wish to challenge for the position of captain?”

Taeyong had to bite his cheek to keep from saying yes. “I’m saying he’s not better than me.”

“Everyone on this team knows that the two of you were rivals. I know this puts you in a difficult position, but the team respects Hanbin and they like him. You’re the one who’s going to have to work to be accepted. That’s just the way it is, surely you understand that.”

Taeyong narrowed his eyes and tightened his fingers again. “If that’s your final word I guess I have no choice but to accept it.”

“Taeyong, I mean it when I say that I understand how difficult this must be for you. But you won’t accomplish anything by being closed off. You have to open yourself up to the others and give them a chance to accept you into the team.”

Taeyong frowned and shook his head. “They’ll accept me, because they won’t have a choice. Too many of your standout players graduated last year, so you need to replace them.”

“And they’ll be replaced, but if you have any interest in being a replacement, you will have to attend the try out. End of discussion.” Jong Kook almost couldn’t believe this kid’s nerve.  He knew the talent was there, but this attitude might just get in the way.

Taeyong forced himself to bow to the coach before leaving his office. It was bull, this whole thing. Maybe if he just confronted Hanbin directly he’d get more accomplished. Challenge him outright. It would be good to see how he’d react, at least.

He walked over to where Hanbin was standing, already changed into his training gear despite not actually having to try out himself. It made him seethe in anger. It was a complete double standard. Hanbin looked up just as he approached and Taeyong felt placated by the momentary flash of panic in Hanbin’s eyes.

Good. He should be wary. He should feel afraid.

“I’m not going to beat around the bush,” Taeyong started his greeting, “I think it’s bull that I have to try out for this team. You personally know how good I am, you know that you need me.”

Despite knowing exactly what was coming, Hanbin couldn’t help but let it affect him anyway. Even the memory of Taeyong and his father wasn’t enough to overcome the years of bitter rivalry between them. “You’re right, I do know how good you are. Good enough to come second to me every year we’ve been playing.” It was the wrong thing to say, he knew it. Despite his intentions of extending a hand in peace, the rivalry was so ingrained in him that he couldn’t help it.

Taeyong’s eyes narrowed at the response. “You only beat me because your team was better.”

“Oh yeah? Even when you injured me and I missed a game, but still beat you in the end? Okay.” He knew he needed to stop the jab contest before it went any further, but the ire in Taeyong’s voice kept setting him off.

“I know this is your team, they all respect you, and they probably hate me because you hate me, but I think you should set an example for everyone.”

Hanbin’s fingers clutched at his clipboard tightly in an attempt to keep his own temper in check. “Do you, now? By doing what, exactly?”

“Make me your co-captain.” The idea had come to Taeyong quickly, and he was determined to see it through. It was the only way he was going to be able to accept playing with him.

Hanbin was surprised at the request, and he kept quiet for a moment. Co-captain? Taeyong wanted to be his co-captain? Hanbin wanted to laugh in his face, but he managed to keep himself together. “No.”

“You can’t just dismiss me like that,” Taeyong fired back, “you know I’m in a different league than everyone else today. You can’t just expect me to start over here with nothing.”

“You’re the one who decided to switch schools and invade mine,” Hanbin retorted, “anywhere else in the city, and you pick my school? And then come in here expecting me to share leadership with you? Are you insane? No. The answer is no. You can try out like everyone else, and if I think you’re good enough, then you’ll get your spot.”

The automatic dismissal had his blood boiling. “You really expect me to try out with these losers? And embarrass them all today?”

“Seconds ago you say you want to be co-captain, and now you call them losers? No matter how good you are, if you have a attitude then you can kiss your chances of getting on my team goodbye.” Hanbin stood his ground and glared at Taeyong, who glared right back. A few guys came out of the changing room and grabbed some balls, starting to warm up. Hanbin was grateful to them because it reminded him of where he was and how he should be acting.

“I suggest you go and get changed. And then get ready to run your off. I have nothing else to say to you.” He turned his back and walked away, heading for the coach’s office.

Taeyong watched him go with a growing sense of anger before turning away and heading to the locker room. There were a few guys in there, some of whom he recognized, and for a moment he stood there in the middle of the room staring them down.

“What are you doing here?”

Taeyong looked around for the speaker and saw a guy he recognized from the team, someone in his year but not in any of his classes.

“I’m getting changed, .” Taeyong turned to one of the benches and dropped his bag there, ignoring the outraged response at his back.

“Knock it off, Dongyeol. I told you guys he’d probably show up here, so there’s no need to act surprised or offended. He’s at our school now, so he’s welcome to try out for the team.”

Taeyong could sense someone standing behind him and he was tempted to ignore the attempt at neutrality. But curiosity got the better of him and he turned around just to see who it was. He recognized the guy, one of the better players on the team, but couldn’t quite remember his name. He just knew him as Number 5. 

“Jeon Wonwoo,” the guy offered, and Taeyong just stared back at him, “in case you don’t remember my name.”

“I didn’t.” Taeyong turned back to his bag, not here for friendship. Maybe he should have accepted the olive branch from this guy, though, and maybe he would have, if he weren’t so pissed off at Hanbin brushing him off.

Wonwoo sighed out loud and shook his head before stowing his bag in a locker. “Come on, Dongyeol, let’s go.” Wonwoo waited for the most volatile member of the team, not trusting him to stay alone in the room with Taeyong, especially not after his disrespectful greeting.

It was just as well. Taeyong wasn’t in the mood to argue with everyone today. He just wanted to get changed and get this bull try out over with. He wanted to prove how utterly stupid it was that he had to be subjected to this crap like anyone else.

No one else bothered to approach him, which was fine as far as he was concerned. He quietly got changed and didn’t waste any time in leaving, but as soon as he left the room he noticed Wonwoo over in the corner, talking to Hanbin.

Was he complaining about him? Expecting Hanbin to come and give him a talking to? Well, Hanbin was welcome to try. Instead Taeyong grabbed a ball off the rack, dribbling it in a flashy manner before taking a long shot at the net—and sinking it. He grinned and looked around, pleased that Hanbin was watching him. Good. Let him watch.

Taeyong shot a few more times before the coach called them in to begin the practice session in earnest, taking a few minutes first to explain what they’d be doing. Taeyong didn’t listen. His eyes were glued on Hanbin, who was watching from behind the coach, a stoic look on his face. Taeyong wanted to throw a ball at his head.

“I’m impressed with some of the younger guys, that Hyunsuk kid is good.”

Hanbin nodded, having the same notes. “Yeah, he’s really fast and he’s got a good eye for plays. I think he’d do well as a small forward.”

“Agreed. You know who impressed me a lot today, in terms of his pass accuracy?”

Hanbin grinned, because there was only one answer to that question. “Wonwoo?”

Coach Kim nodded, a little smile on his face. “He’s improved so much since last year, I’m tempted to try him in the point guard role, to be honest. I’ve been worried about who would be taking over from Yoongi this season, but Wonwoo really showed himself today.”

“I’m so glad you said that. I was worried you were going to move me back.”

“That’s still up for debate. I might have to move you back to shooting guard this year, what are your thoughts?”

After practice Hanbin had been expecting this conversation. He’d really grown to love the point forward role last season, but he had to look at the overall structure of the team. There were really only two of them fully capable of performing as a starting line shooting guard. “That’s a possibility for sure. I think it’ll either have to be me or Taeyong taking that spot.”

“Do you think you could play well on the same line?”

Hanbin shrugged. “That remains to be seen. We’d be a deadly combo, the two of us together. It really all depends on his attitude, though. I’m a little worried after today.”

“Me too, but I know he’s just hungry to prove himself after the move. It might take a while to get him in line.”

Hanbin nodded, glad they were having this discussion so openly. “What do we do if he doesn’t get in line? What if he isn’t willing to accept that I have a position higher than him?”

The coach shrugged. “Whatever we have to do, Hanbin. We need him, so hopefully if we give him a little more time to adjust, he’ll be okay. But you have to do your part. No instigating, no talking.”

Hanbin bit the inside of his cheek, thinking back to their conversation before the try out session. “I know.”

“Make sure you remember that. As captain, you are held to a higher standard when it comes to behaviour. If I catch you starting anything with Taeyong, I will think about stripping you of the captaincy. Am I understood?”

Hanbin nodded, sufficiently cowed. It was almost like he knew about that pre-tryout conversation. “Understood. I promise I’ll do my best to be neutral with him.”

“Good. I expect better from you, Hanbin. Don’t let me down.”

“Guess what he said to me at practice?”

Donghyuk took a jab at Hanbin, hitting the pad hard. “What? This should be good.”

Hanbin huffed out loud and moved his pads around to give Donghyuk different targets. “He said make me your co-captain. ”

Donghyuk couldn’t help but laugh when he heard it. “He didn’t.”

“He did, I swear. The ing nerve.”

Donghyuk hit a 3 punch combo, pushing Hanbin back into the ropes. “What an entitled brat.”

“Right? Thinks he shouldn’t have to try out, then demands to be co-captain, then he calls everyone else losers after I say no.”

Donghyuk couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Are you serious?”

“I wish I wasn’t! The worst part though is that we do need him on the team. I wish we didn’t, but we just don’t have enough guys who can shoot from long range.” Hanbin shook his head, still annoyed with the state of things. “Let’s swap for a bit? I want to hit something.”

Donghyuk teasingly shook his head. “No way, not with you this mad over basketball! Calm down for another half hour first.”

“I’m fine, swap with me.” Hanbin pulled the pads off his hands, dropping them at Donghyuk’s feet. “I promise I won’t hit you hard.”

“Bull, Hanbin. You hit hard even when you’re not pissed off.” Donghyuk joked, but he held his hands out for Hanbin to start unlacing his gloves.

“Well, I can’t help my power, I’m a strong person.” Hanbin grinned and unlaced the boxing gloves, pulling them off.

“If you need to take a power shot just do me a favour and hit my left hand, okay? That way I can still write in school tomorrow.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll let you copy my notes if I break your hand.” Hanbin joked back.

“Pointless offer. I can’t read your writing.” Donghyuk teased, before helping Hanbin into his own set of boxing gloves.

“I’ll dictate for you then.” They went on for a bit until Hanbin was laced up and ready, and Donghyuk picked up the pads. They spent fifteen minutes practicing Hanbin’s jabs and punches. It wasn’t until they were done and Donghyuk was unlacing Hanbin’s gloves that he gave Hanbin an idea.

“Have you tried talking to Woosung about Taeyong? We see them sitting together every day.”

Hanbin frowned, still confused over his feelings about that. “Yeah, don’t remind me. It makes me nervous.”

“Weren’t you dating Woosung when the worst stuff between you and Taeyong happened?”

“Yeah, so the fact that he’s getting friendly with Taeyong now is precisely what worries me.”

Donghyuk pulled off one of Hanbin’s gloves, leaving Hanbin to remove the other now that he had a hand free. “Talk to him, Hanbin! You said you guys had decided to stay friends, right? So you should try living up to that and acting like a friend.”

Hanbin knew Donghyuk was right, but he still felt weird about it. “I know, it’s just awkward.”

“Did it end bad between you two?”

Hanbin shook his head, taking his other glove from Donghyuk. “Not terrible, like nothing bad happened. But enough changed for friendship to be a little weird.” At least it was for Hanbin. He wasn’t sure how Woosung had coped with it.

“So find Woosung and ask him about Taeyong. What’s the worst that could happen?”

Hanbin met his gaze and frowned. “He tells Taeyong I’m asking about him. He could also be telling Taeyong a ton of embarrassing stories about me.”

Donghyuk grinned and picked up the blocking pads as they left the ring. “Does he have embarrassing stories about you?”

“No, but they wouldn’t need to be true. I’m sure Taeyong would believe anything he hears about me.”

“Okay but it’s better to ask and find out, right? Because maybe he hasn’t said anything.”

Hanbin sighed, putting his gloves away in his bag. “Maybe Taeyong hasn’t told him anything either.”

Donghyuk tossed the pads into the storage room before leaning against the wall. “Maybe not, but where’s the harm in checking?”

“You’re right. I’ll talk to him.”

“So, I extended my flight out by another month.”

The news came as a surprise to Junhoe, whose face lit up in a bright smile. “You did?”

Jinhwan felt relieved at the smile. It’s not that he thought Junhoe wouldn’t be happy with the news, but their relationship was still a little on the confusing side to him. “Yeah, I mean the English course I want to take before the start of the semester doesn’t really start until then anyway, so I figured it was fine to move it. I want to stay as long as I can before I leave.”

Junhoe couldn’t believe the good news. An entire extra month with Jinhwan, before they’d be broken up by half a globe. It was very welcome news. “I can’t believe you’re burdening me with a whole extra month before you go. You could have asked, first.”

Jinhwan grinned back at him. Teasing always meant that Junhoe was trying to cover up how he was really feeling. “I know, how thoughtless of me, right?”

Junhoe sighed and shook his head. “I should just break up with you now, save myself the trouble of having to look at your face every day.”

“You think I’m going to spend every day of that extra month with you?” Jinhwan leaned in close to Junhoe, laying down next to him with his head on Junhoe’s chest. “What a waste of time that would be.”

Junhoe abandoned his textbook, instead slinging that arm around Jinhwan’s shoulders. “I’m glad we’re on the same page, hyung.” He looked down at Jinhwan, who was grinning at him, before kissing him on the lips.

“So have you found a place to stay yet, out in LA?” Junhoe had taken to casually asking about his plans, hoping it would help him normalize and get used to the idea that Jinhwan was leaving. It was better than never mentioning it, he thought.

“Not yet, but there are a few people that Eric knows out there, and he’s trying to set me up with someone. One of his old friends has a cousin who’s going to be at UCLA for the year taking an acting class, so he’s hoping to set us up together if possible.” All he had so far to go on was a name—Kim Jinwoo.

“That’s nice of him,” Junhoe said, “that’s cool that he’s helping you out.”

“Yeah, I don’t think any of it would be possible if it wasn’t for his help. I like the idea of actually knowing someone out there. Hopefully if I can stay with this guy, I can talk to him and get to know him first. It would be a huge help.”

“Sure would.” Junhoe was happy to hear of progress, but at the same time it caused a minor jolt of pain in his chest. It was just one step closer to Jinhwan leaving. What was he going to do when he was gone? He didn’t like thinking about that.

“You competing in that tournament in April? Youngbae agreed to let me enter, try to make up for my ty first try at brown belt.” Jinhwan asked with a grin, amused when he remembered the difficult time he’d had at the last one. Back before he and Junhoe had gotten over their problems. It was so weird to think about how much things had changed in such a short period of time.

“Yeah, just put my name in for it yesterday. Hoping I can finally win now that you’re out.” Junhoe joked back, but he did have high hopes for himself. He’d improved so much in his form over the past few months, and a lot of it was in thanks to training with Jinhwan.

“You think you’re at my level already?” Jinhwan teased. “There are a lot of good guys at purple, shouldn’t be so dismissive.”

“Is Eric bringing his little midget?” Junhoe asked, grinning when Jinhwan pinched him.

“Haven’t you learned not to mock us shorter people?” He said, before moving up to straddle Junhoe in a mount position. “Do I need to teach you a lesson about respect?”

Junhoe grinned at him. “You don’t scare me.”

“I should,” Jinhwan replied, “I know just how to deal with you.” Without warning he reached his hand down Junhoe’s pants, grabbing him by the balls.

“Hyung!” Junhoe yelled, not expecting the sudden display. His door wasn’t locked, after all.

“Say you’re sorry,” Jinhwan replied, squeezing when Junhoe frowned at him, “I’m not letting go until I hear it.”

“Then I guess you’re not letting go.” Junhoe shot back, feeling mischievous. His parents weren’t home, after all, only his sister, and she was busy studying.

“You might like that option right now,” Jinhwan replied before tightening his grip, “but you won’t like it in a minute.”

Junhoe couldn’t help but hiss when Jinhwan gripped him a little too tightly. “Ah come on, don’t be mean!”

“Apologize!” Jinhwan demanded, grinning down at him from above.

“I’m sorry!” Junhoe said, but it wasn’t enough for Jinhwan.

“Sorry for what?” Jinhwan asked, slightly concerned when he saw that Junhoe was grinning.

“I’m sorry that you’re short.” Junhoe couldn’t help himself, even if he knew it meant trouble. Jinhwan squeezed just a little tighter and Junhoe yelped.

Jinhwan let go at that, but stayed straddling him. “I hope that teaches you a lesson.”

Junhoe groaned and rubbed himself, not really in pain anymore but playing it up for fun anyway. “You’re the worst boyfriend ever, you know that, right?”

Jinhwan looked down at him fondly, a finger over his cheek. “Only the best for you!” Just as he was about to lean down to kiss him the room door opened and there stood Junhoe’s sister, Yejin.

There was silence for a moment as she stared at them before shaking her head. “I was going to order a pizza, wanted to know if you guys wanted one too…”

“Yes please, noona!” Junhoe replied, trying to keep a straight face even though he was blushing. He felt weird about having Yejin see him and Jinhwan like this.

Jinhwan smiled at her. “You’re the best, noona!”

“Stop molesting my brother, Jinan.” The way she said it with a neutral expression had Jinhwan laughing and Junhoe blushing harder.

“I hate both of you!” Junhoe yelled, refusing to look at them.

“You can try, Jinan, but you’ll never make this dumb child into a man.” Yejin teased before skipping away from the door, leaving Jinhwan laughing even more and Junhoe annoyed.

“I really hate having a sister sometimes!” Junhoe complained, embarrassed about her joke.

“I love having a sister, but then Yejin is always on the attack, while Seiyeon almost never makes fun of me. So you have it worse.” He laid a hand on Junhoe’s cheek, grinning now that he saw how hard Junhoe was blushing.

“Yeah, I won the annoying sister lottery.” Junhoe grumbled.

“It’s more like she won the annoying little brother lottery, since she was born first.” Jinhwan replied, before leaning down to kiss Junhoe’s lips. Junhoe wanted to be annoyed with the comment, but it was difficult to be mad with Jinhwan’s tongue in his mouth.