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If Hyunjin was being honest, he should have seen it coming from the start. Jaewoo had been a nice guy at first, unfortunately the past couple of dates had been setting off some warning signs. But Hyunjin is nothing if not a romantic hopeful at heart which is why he’s willing to try. Which is also why he’s at this fuck ass baseball game he knows nothing about because Jaewoo wanted to go. And don’t get him wrong, Hyunjin is a try-everything-once kind of guy. He’s scared of almost everything but would go bungee jumping if he had the chance, he’s been looking into a glass blowing workshop, and honestly Italian was looking kind of tempting to learn. All that to say that for Hyunjin, it was a given for him to try coming to this baseball game. If not as an attempt to understand Jaewoo’s interest better than at least as a last ditch move to say he tried.
Which is why he’s now squeezing through a cramped aisle on a hot humid day to find their dusty seat in the stadium. Just their luck that their seats were right smack in the middle of the row making them clamber over the laps of other fans ungracefully. Jaewoo hadn’t even bothered to turn back to check if Hyunjin was behind him until he reached the seats, settled down and looked up to find Hyunjin lagging behind. As if waving me over does any help. Hyunjin grumbles as he continues his trek. Just as Hyunjin is about to reach the seat, he feels himself land a bit too heavily on one foot and loses his balance.
“Ah–shit!”
Miraculously, he regains his footing, but not before he hears the tell-tale sound of his elbow smacking against a cup filled with ice. Sure enough, a panicked glance behind him reveals a cup of coke tilting out of its cup holder.
But before Hyunjin’s eyes could even widen, a hand shoots out with lightning fast reflexes to catch it just before disaster strikes onto his pristine white shirt. Some of the forebodingly dark liquid sloshes out onto the floor but none onto Hyunjin.
“Are you okay?” The man in the seat next to him asks in concern.
“Yes, thank you. I’m sorry about your drink.” Hyunjin apologises as embarrassment tints his cheeks pink. “You have great reflexes, by the way.”
“It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.” The man laughs and waves off.
“Yeah thanks a bunch man, he would have thrown a fit if his outfit got dirty.” Jaewoo chooses this moment to pipe up and Hyunjin shoots him a glare. “Told you not to wear something so fancy to a baseball game.”
That’s one of the things Hyunjin was growing increasingly dissatisfied with about Jaewoo, he always had some weird issue about Hyunjin dressing up. Apparently he didn’t see the point in it but there wasn’t supposed to be a point, it was for the expression! Hyunjin mentally adds another strike to his Jaewoo tolerance counter.
The man’s eyes flicker between Hyunjin and Jaewoo. Hyunjin could have sworn he saw the puzzle pieces click into place and some kind of evaluation being made before the man breaks out into another soft smile directed specifically at Hyunjin.
“It’s a great outfit, I wouldn’t want it getting dirty either if it were me.” He offers an assurance that Hyunjin gladly accepts. “I’m Seungmin.”
“Hyunjin.” Hyunjin reaches out to shake his hand. “This is Jaewoo.”
“Nice to meet you.” Seungmin nods cordially.
In many aspects, Seungmin’s presence turns out to be the most palatable part of the game. Hyunjin is open to trying everything once but of course it takes two to tango and Jaewoo has been doing jack shit to explain what’s going on. Between being hot and cramped, Hyunjin would at least like not to be confused as well so he can somewhat enjoy the experience.
“Just watch, you’ll get it. Haven’t you played sports before?” Jaewoo waves off dismissively as his eyes remain focused on the field. Hyunjin feels irritation beginning to bubble when Seungmin’s gentle voice suddenly pipes up next to him.
“That team is in a good position right now because each base has a person. See how each plate has someone standing on it?” Seungmin explains while leaning over ever so slightly.
“Is that good for us?” Hyunjin asks.
“Well if you mean for my team then usually no, but the ace pitcher is up next.” Seungmin continues, there's a sparkle in his eyes as he talks that’s endearing. “He’s my favourite player, I used to try to imitate his technique in high school. Oh, sorry. I’m rambling.” Seungmin suddenly halts and flusters. It’s cute, Hyunjin finds himself smiling.
“That’s okay. Keep going, I want to know what’s happening.”
The game gets much better after that, and soon enough they’ve reached the break. People around them begin getting up to use the toilet or buy food and finally there’s a little space. The screens begin with some games to entertain the audience. The clouds are blocking the sun, there’s less people around him, and baseball isn’t all that confusing after all. Hyunjin is in a better mood now.
“Let’s take a photo.” Hyunjin suggests to Jaewoo who complies without much fuss. If anything, at least Jaewoo has a good face and they make a pretty picture together.
Suddenly, there’s a ripple of cheers from the crowd. Confused, Hyunjin looks up only to find that the screen is now hosting a kiss cam and there's a couple smooching on screen. Hyunjin has barely even got to squeal over how cute the kiss and put his phone down when the screen changes and suddenly he’s looking at his own wide expression on the screen. The people around him cheer as he and Jaewoo appear in the heart shaped frame. Hyunjin feels excited for a moment before Jaewoo starts vehemently crossing his arms in an ‘X’ and shaking his head.
“Aw come on Jaewoo, it’s just for fun.” Hyunjin wheedles, shaking his shoulder and looking at him expectantly.
“It’s so embarrassing. No thank you.” Jaewoo remains adamant. The atmosphere is quickly becoming awkward as people take notice of their disagreement and an uncomfortable self consciousness is starting to grow in Hyunjin’s gut. Embarrassment begins to creep up his neck. Hyunjin is just about to swallow his discontent and plaster on a fake smile to wave the camera away when he feels a gentle hand on his neck.
“Pardon me.”
The hand turns his face around and the next thing he knows, Seungmin is kissing him.
And Seungmin is kissing him. Like good and proper. Not just a quick peck but with his lips firmly against his and his hands gently pressing into his nape. Hyunjin vaguely registers that there’s a mixture of cheers and gasps around him but he’s too busy wide eyed staring at Seungmin and feeling his lips and breath and scent all around him.
About four seconds pass and Hyunjin swears that he feels Seungmin’s tongue teasingly press against his lips before Seungmin pulls back with a puppy-like grin and waves at the camera. Hyunjin catches sight of his own star struck expression on the screen before it finally cuts to another couple that has their jaws dropped at what just happened. Far from scandalised, Hyunjin looks more like he just fell in love.
“What the hell?” Jaewoo mutters, glaring at Seungmin with an incredulous expression. Hyunjin had scarcely forgotten about him with how his heart was pounding in his chest. Seungmin just shrugs with a smirk that looks way too sexy to be healthy in Hyunjin’s eyes. What happened to the baseball nerd from just now?
“You didn’t seem to want to treat him right so I thought I should.” Seungmin says nonchalantly. “Problem with that?”
Jaewoo narrows his eyes at Seungmin before he gets up in a huff. Reflexively, Hyunjin jolts to follow before Seungmin grabs his hand.
“Don’t bother. It’s not worth it.” Seungmin states, looking into his eyes seriously. “You deserve better than that.”
Hyunjin takes a breath and nods.
“Thanks.”
Seungmin’s shoulders seem to untense and the seriousness in his expression dissipates to make room for a mischievous glint. He tilts his head in a puppy-like manner and looks at Hyunjin expectantly. “Stay here and enjoy the game with me?”
Hyunjin blinks once. Then twice, then many times in quick succession just to manually reboot his brain because his heart just did a flutter and a jump.
“Okay.” Hyunjin replies, a genuine smile breaking out on his face as good jitters buzz through his body. Seungmin smiles and pats his arm.
The rest of the game Hyunjin is too preoccupied to know what’s going on but he is very much enjoying himself every time Seungmin leans in closer than he has to to explain something. Jaewoo doesn’t come back but Hyunjin has already mentally broken up with him and was planning to have it in textual writing the moment he reaches home. Right now his phone is being used by Seungmin to put his number in.
“Call me?” Seungmin asks with the same cheeky grin and the same lilt of his head. Hyunjin is already kinda down bad.
“Let me drop you off?” Hyunjin asks in return, holding up his car keys.
“If you wanted to spend more time with me then you can just say so.” Seungmin teases but he’s already gathering his things.
“I want to spend more time with you. So let's go. You have to eat dinner with me now too.” Hyunjin declares, grabbing Seungmin’s arm and pulling him along. Seungmin actually ends up being the one to support Hyunjin through the climb out of the god forsakenly cramped stands.
“I’ve been in too many stadiums. I’m used to it.” Seungmin jokes. He holds him by the arm and Hyunjin finds it sweet that he seems to hesitate about putting his hand on his waist when they’ve already locked lips.
“I could be in more stadiums if you’re there.”
Seungmin let out an amused snort through his nose.
“You know ball now?”
“Oh, I know ball.”
“Well, there is a game in two weeks.”
“Done, just tell me the team colours so I can coordinate an outfit.”
“I can lend you a jersey if you’d like.” Seungmin offers. “I’ll pass it to you before then.”
“Is this your attempt to create a couple outfit?” Hyunjin teases.
“It’s my attempt to meet you before the game.” Seungmin replies shamelessly. Hyunjin finally bursts out laughing and loops his arm with Seungmin’s. “Is it working?”
Hyunjin is a hopeless romantic at heart. He believes in being treated right and he believes in chance encounters.
Maybe baseball wasn’t too bad after all.