Chapter 5: Locked In

...Taehyung woke up with a gnarly hangover and was regretting going to that stupid party just like he knew he would. His head was pounding and not even Jimin’s homemade pancakes could bring him back to life....

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...Not only that, but Jimin wouldn't stop teasing him with comments like “Your boyfriend got in a fight for you, how manly.” and “I bet he whispered something dirty and that’s why you won’t tell me what he said!”...

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...So basically, Taehyung was tired....

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...When Taehyung finally decided to get off his lazy *** and get ready for practice, he tried to convince himself that he really didn’t care about Jeongguk and that he was not going to try to dress hot for practice because of the younger skater....

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...Taehyung rubbed his aching temples in frustration as he stared at his closet in despair. Sighing defeatedly, he simply grabbed a pair of black sweatpants and one of his warmest sweaters....

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...…...

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...Taehyung was unfocused. He tried to remember what came after he twirled to the left but all his mind could think of was black burning eyes and bloody knuckles. Taehyung sighed as Jin frowned at him for messing up the choreography. He was trying, but the fact that a certain black haired skater wasn’t at practice bothered him....

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...Taehyung showed up for the group practice a little early hoping to be able to talk to Jeongguk before it started, but the other boy never showed up. He was waiting in the locker room expecting Jeongguk to suddenly walk in, black hair shiny and soft and his beautiful face schooled into a cool, apathetic expression, but the younger boy never appeared....

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...Now Taehyung was trying to focus on the program that he was going to use to compete against Jeongguk, and the younger boy was sabotaging his practice without even meaning to. ...

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...Taehyung was worried for the younger boy, ‘What if he got really hurt in the fight last night?’ ‘What if he is terribly sick from a bad hangover?’...

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...The anxiety from not seeing Jeongguk is almost worse than Taehyung’s fear of seeing him. As Taehyung drifted off into his worries again Jin’s voice rang out across the rink....

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...“Taehyung! This is just the choreography! You have to get this right so we can move onto the harder parts of the program! Run it again and focus this time!”...

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...Taehyung pouted from being yelled at but took a deep breath of icy air and tried to clear his mind of anything but the ice beneath him....

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...When the music started he pushed against the ice, starting the choreography again and also pushed thoughts of Jeongguk out of his mind....

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...…...

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...Taehyung and Jin walked from the ice rink to the locker rooms....

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...Jin was talking enthusiastically “I’m telling you Tae, when you focus no one can beat your level of skating! I swear I’ll get you to win nationals!"...

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...Taehyung blushed at the compliment and flashed his box smile at Jin, “Thank you hyung! I’ll work even harder to be perfect!”...

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...Jin smiled fondly at Taehyung and patted his head, ruffling the younger's hair. Taehyung giggled as he swatted his hyung’s hand away playfully and waved goodbye as he walked into the locker rooms....

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...As Taehyung walked in the door he froze when he saw a familiar figure at the end of a row of lockers, putting on his skates....

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...Jeongguk looked up when he heard someone enter and they made eye contact. Jeongguk raised an eyebrow and his hand lifted in a half wave as Taehyung stood and stared at him, frozen like a statue. Jeongguks face was bruised under his eye and there was a cut on his cheek. Taehyung felt guilt and anger well up inside him but he grit his teeth and ignored the feelings. ...

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...Taehyung gulped and waved back, scurrying over to his own locker. As he began to take off his skates, Jeongguk started to lace up his....

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...The air was awkward and Taehyung’s questions rested in the base of his throat waiting to spill out at any moment. As Taehyung pulled off his skates he glanced at Jeongguk out of the corner of his eye trying to discern anything from his body language, but the younger was turned away from him....

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...Taehyung ran through everything he wanted to say in his head, going through possible scenarios and ways to ask his questions without making it obvious that he cared about Jeongguk's well-being way too much. Taehyung closed his locker and was about to put on his tennis shoes when Jeongguk stood up and began to walk out of the locker room....

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...Taehyung panicked because he didn’t want Jeongguk to leave before he could say what he wanted to say. So Taehyung did the only thing he could think of, he stood up and ran to the door in front of Jeongguk, stretching his arms out and blocking Jeongguk from the doorway....

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...Jeongguk’s eyes widened and he stopped walking, still a few feet away from Taehyung....

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...Jeongguk waited for an explanation but Taehyung was panicking and forgot all the things he was planning to say so all that came out was “You can’t leave!”...

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...At this, Jeongguk’s brows furrowed in confusion and he took a few steps closer until he was right in front of Taehyung, close enough that if Taehyung was wearing shoes their toes would be touching....

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...“Why not?” Jeongguk asked with a soft and slightly confused voice....

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...Taehyung tried to hold back his nerves but something about the black haired boy always put him on edge and his throat felt closed and his face was probably already turning pink. Jeongguk was so close he could see every nervous gulp and twitch and he suddenly smirked at Taehyung....

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...Taehyung watched Jeongguk cross his arms over his chest, causing his biceps to bulge a little and distract Taehyung for a second. When he met Jeongguk’s eyes, they glinted with amusement at Taehyung, showing that he knew exactly what Taehyung was looking at. Jeongguk was wearing skates, and while they were usually the same height, the blades of the skates made Jeongguk tower over Taehyung, who was only wearing mismatching socks....

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...Taehyung didn’t know what to do and he thought back to the fight and how Jeongguk beat Yongguk to the floor with such ferocity. Taehyung looked for any signs of the same anger that Jeongguk showed last night but all Taehyung saw were warm brown eyes looking at him with amusement....

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...Jeongguk was the first to break the silence, “If you have something to say, go ahead and say it.”...

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...At this Taehyung frowned and bit his lip, not wanting to confess to the younger that when Taehyung saw Jeongguk get into that fight it scared the shit out of him and that he felt guilty every time Jeongguk was hit. Jeongguk's smirk dropped at seeing Taehyung's frown and turned into a soft smile as if he could read Taehyung's mind and knew the older was thinking about the fight last night....

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...Taehyung smiled back nervously and took the younger’s right hand into his, turning it over....

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...The knuckles were bruised and there were bandages over some cuts. He looked back up to Jeongguks face and traced the cuts on his cheek and one on his lip that Taehyung had not noticed before. ...

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...Taehyung looked back down at the hand held in his, “Did you get hurt anywhere else?” Taehyung asked quietly. ...

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...“Yes.” Jeongguk said softly, not breaking the atmosphere around them....

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...“I’m sorry. It should have been me that fought him and got hurt.” Taehyung said, running his fingers lightly over the bruises and bandages. Jeongguk’s other hand came up and grabbed Taehyung’s moving hand causing Taehyung to look up at Jeongguk....

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...Jeongguk had a serious expression on his face....

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...“I don’t regret getting in that fight Taehyung. He was a piece of shit and every bruise that I got was worth beating the shit out of him, and you were too drunk to fight him so don’t feel guilty.”...

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...Jeongguk looks sincere and his eyes bored into Taehyung’s. The intensity of the moment makes Taehyung look down again....

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...“I still feel bad.” Taehyung says stubbornly, the pout evident in his voice as he tightly held onto Jeongguk’s warm hands. ...

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...Jeongguk sighs taking his hand out of Taehyung’s and placing it on his shoulder. Taehyung jumps a little and his eyes dart up to Jeongguk’s face. Jeongguk smiles,...

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...“If you still feel guilty, you can make it up to me by to waiting for an hour or two while I practice and then get coffee with me after.”...

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...Taehyung's jaw drops at the offer but he quickly nods his head, ...

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...“But I’m paying!” Taehyung says, poking his finger into Jeongguk’s chest playfully and flashing his square smile....

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...…...

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...Taehyung had skated with the younger boy but he had never seen him skate from a spectator's view. Taehyung knew Jeongguk was good but Taehyung didn’t know he was THAT good....

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...Jeongguk’s skating was technically perfect. Every movement was almost like he jumped straight off a skating textbook. Jeongguk made everything he did look easy as he flowed over the ice like he was levitating....

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...Taehyung was standing at the side of the rink, mesmerized. Jeongguk’s skating captured you and brought you away from reality. At that moment, Taehyung was so in love with Jeongguk but he also hated him. Taehyung was in awe and couldn’t believe that he would have to compete against Jeongguk soon. ...

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...Taehyung always liked the sound of skating, the sound of the ice slicing under the blades, and Jeongguk had completely smooth skating that sounded like music to Taehyung. Jeongguk turned and kicked his leg up, some ice flying up with it. His leg stretched out behind him and he spins....

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...Taehyung could see the hard muscles of Jeongguk’ thick thighs and little shivers went down his spine at the thought of feeling those solid muscles with his own hands....

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...Jeongguk skates quickly across the rink and jumps, with agility and finesse that leaves Taehyung breathless....

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...Taehyung sighs and cuddles more into his large sweater, leaning his cheek on his hand as he watches Jeongguk practice....

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...…...

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...Taehyung was watching, dazed and in his own world. When Jeongguk skates over and abruptly coming to a stop by sliding sideways, Taehyung is startled and stares up at Jeongguk with wide eyes....

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...The younger smiles at him sheepishly and grabs the water bottle that’s sitting next to his black skate guards on the railing of the rink wall....

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...Jeongguk tips the bottle back, taking huge gulps of the water. His Adam's apple bobs as he drinks and Taehyung furtively watches, his heart racing as he stares at the tan skin. The need to bite and lick at the veins is too strong so he looks away just as he sees a droplet of water slide down and disappear into the white T-shirt. ...

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...Taehyung stares down at the ice and he hears Jeongguk panting a little after gulping down all his water....

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...There was an awkward silence before Jeongguk spoke up,...

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...“I’m going to go change. Why don’t you wait by the entrance for me? I’ll be done soon and there’s a nice little coffee shop not far from here.”...

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...Jeongguk spoke shyly and when Taehyung looked up, Jeongguk was staring at him. Jeongguk noticed Taehyung's gaze so he quickly looked to the side trying to be nonchalant. Taehyung could see a slight blush on the younger boy’s cheeks and when Taehyung said nothing, Jeongguk’s hand came up to rub at his nape, probably a nervous habit....

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...Taehyung couldn’t help but think Jeongguk was really cute at this moment and he giggled a little bit. Jeongguk’s eyes snapped back to Taehyung in surprise at the sound and Taehyung smiled up at him brightly....

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...The flush on the younger's cheeks increased greatly and Taehyung reached up and smushed Jeongguk’s cheeks together causing his lips to puff out cutely....

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...“That sounds really good Jeonggukie! I didn’t know you could be so cute! Call me hyung from now on alright?”...

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...Jeongguk seemed to short circuit and he pulled away from Taehyung quickly grabbing his stuff and nearly sprinting to the locker room yelling behind him, “I’ll be quick hyung, wait for me!”...

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...Taehyung didn’t know he was smiling so big all his teeth were showing as he skipped over to find his phone and bag. ...

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...…...

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...Taehyung collected his bad off the bench and threw the strap of his bag over his shoulder. He dug inside the bag searching for his phone and cheered when he finally reached it at the bottom....

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...When he turned on the phone he blinked confusedly at the screen which showed he had three texts from Seokjin....

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...From Jin hyung <3:...

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...Taehyung today I have to close up the rink and I'm leaving early! I have an appointment in 30 minutes so be sure to get out before I lock all the doors!...

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...From Jin hyung<3:...

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...Taehyung you left right? I’m leaving really soon I hope you’re not still here. I’m locking the doors in 5 minutes....

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...From Jin hyung<3:...

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...Taehyung-ah you didn’t respond but I didn’t hear anyone in the rink so I'm leaving! Don’t forget to eat healthily and call me if you feel sick!...

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...Taehyung’s breath catches in his throat when he reads the texts. He quickly looks to see when they were sent and he sees that the last text was sent 50 minutes ago. Taehyung looks up to the entrance and runs over to the glass doors....

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...His heart is beating erratically and he reaches out one hand to push the metal handle of the door. Taehyung's heart drops into his stomach and he feels sweat gathering on his forehead as he feels the resistance of a lock every time he pushes....

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...Taehyung quickly pulls out his phone and with shaky hands, he dials Seokjin’s number. The call goes straight to voicemail each time and Taehyung feels nauseous and bites his nails as he paces in front of the door....

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...Taehyung doesn’t hear Jeongguk call his name and when the younger boy rests his hand on Taehyung’s shoulder it startles the red-head. Taehyung jumps and the phone drops from his sweaty hands, the uncased i-phone dropping face first on to the hard tile floor of the lobby entrance....

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...Taehyung feels burning in his eyes and a lump in his throat as he looks down at the pitiful pieces of glass that lay around the sliver metal of the back of the phone....

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...Jeongguk gasps and mumbles curses under his breath and he goes to his knees picking up the phone and turning it upwards to see the front completely demolished. Jeongguk visibly winces as he sees the damage and then proceeds to pick up glass pieces, holding them gently in his hand and taking them over to the garbage....

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...Taehyung stands there frozen and feeling helpless as Jeongguk comes back over with a worried expression on his face....

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...“Taehyung? I’m really sorry I made you drop your phone, I’ll buy you a new one you can even come with me to pick it out. How about we go now and I'll pay for the coffee too?”...

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...Jeongguks sweet word cause Taehyung to lift his head to look at the younger boy with worry in his eyes. Taehyung processes the words slowly then something clicks....

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...“We can’t leave.” Taehyung says hoarsely holding in frustrated tears....

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...Jeongguks frowns and blinks at Taehyung with confusion....

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...“Jin left and locked the doors,” Taehyung explains quietly, “He didn’t know we were still in here”...

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...Jeongguk’s eyes widen in shock and he turns his gaze from Taehyung to stare at the door behind the red-haired boy....

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...Slowly he walks up to the door and unavailingly pushes at the metal bar....

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...After a few seconds, Jeongguk suddenly turns to Taehyung,...

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...“Does he lock all the doors when he leaves?” Jeongguk asks seriously. Taehyung bites his lip and nods,...

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...“Even the one to the snack bar” Taehyung replies mournfully and he turns to sit next to his bag on the bench and stares at the ground....

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...Taehyung glances up at Jeongguk suddenly, “Do you happen to have any of the coaches numbers?” Taehyung looks at Jeongguk hopefully but Jeongguk frowns at the ground and shakes his head....

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...“I do but my phone is dead.” he says with a frustrated expression on his face and he leans up against the door, his head falling back to rest against the glass....

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...Taehyung breaths out a humorless laugh, “I guess we’re stuck”...

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...Jeongguk slides to the floor and then rests his face in his hands, “I guess we are” Taehyung hears the younger mumble....

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...…...

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...The two sit for another few minutes before they get restless....

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...Taehyung feels terrible about the situation and looks up to Jeongguk to break their awkward self-pitying silence but Jeongguk is already standing up with a determined look on his face....

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...When he notices Taehyung’s gaze he smiles and reaches out a hand to pull Taehyung off his uncomfortable bench seat....

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...They decide to check all the doors of the rink before accepting their situation and they walk together around the entire building looking for a way out....

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...They walk in a slightly uncomfortable, worried silence and curse every time they push on an unrelenting door....

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...After checking all the doors they could find they begin to start to walk back to the lobby where their stuff is....

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...As they walk the cold of the rink begins to seep into Taehyung’s skin, his fuzzy sweater not doing much against the freezing air meant to keep the ice from melting....

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...Taehyung involuntarily shivers and he pulls his sweater sleeves over his hands and covers his red nose with the extra cloth....

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...Jeongguk glances over at Taehyung and raises his eyebrows, “Cold?”...

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...Taehyung sniffs and looks the other way shaking his head “No” Taehyung denies “I'm fine” he crosses his arms over his chest and keeps walking forward without looking at Jeongguk even as he hears the other skater scoff at him....

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...By the time they reach the lobby Taehyung is shivering and his fingers feel a little numb....

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...Taehyung glances at Jeongguk who is going through his bag looking for something. Taehyung looks over the black hair and down the strong bridge of his nose that is darkened by the bruise around his eye, and then over the red lips that are set in a concentrated pout, the cut on his bottom lip looks painful and Taehyung wants to ask about it. But he doesn't. ...

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...Taehyung’s eyes drift down to smooth looking hands even though the knuckles are bandaged and bruised. Taehyung rubs his hands together and wonders if Jeongguks hands are warm and what it would feel like to hold them. Without realizing it Taehyung reaches out for Jeongguks hand....

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...When Taehyung touches Jeongguks hand he looks up at Taehyung and they meet eyes for a second before Taehyung drops his gaze shyly....

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...Taehyung grips Jeongguks wrist and moves his hand to lace their fingers together but Jeongguks jerks away quickly....

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...Taehyung looks up a little shocked to see Jeongguk quickly put his hand behind his back....

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...Taehyung frowns and walks towards Jeongguk a few steps. Jeongguk looks towards his left, purposely avoiding Taehyung’s eyes....

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...Taehyung reaches out again, taking Jeongguks arm firmly in his hand and pulling it from behind his back Jeongguk doesn’t resist as Taehyung flips his hand over so the palm is facing upwards....

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...On the palm of Jeongguks hand, there are deep gashes that pool blood and a small bloody cloth clenched in his fist that was keeping the blood from dripping to the floor....

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...Taehyung gasps when he sees the wound and immediately uses the cloth to wipe the wounds....

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...“What happened?” Taehyung asks as he makes Jeongguk sit on the bench. Jeongguk winces as Taehyung dabs harder to absorb some blood....

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...“When your phone broke,” Jeongguk says softly “I picked up the glass in my hand and it cut me”...

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...Guilt rushes through Taehyung and he frowns as he gets a water bottle from his backpack and runs water over Jeongguks hand....

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...“It’s always my fault you get hurt” Taehyung huffs out as he takes out a spare t-shirt from his bag and rips the bottom into a strip to tie around Jeongguks hand....

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...After Taehyung finishes tying Jeongguks hand up Jeongguk turns around quickly to rummage through his bag again. Taehyung looks over Jeongguks shoulder to try and see what he is doing but a cloth that is thrown at him obscures his vision....

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...Taehyung pulls the cloth, that he can now see is a coat, off his head and sees Jeongguk looking at him expectantly....

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...“Put it on”...

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...Taehyung looks down at the huge black sweater that is obviously Jeongguk's and then back at said boy. ...

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...Jeongguks frowns at Taehyung's lack of response and takes the sweater from his hands and after finding the bottom he shoves it over Taehyung's head....

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...When Taehyung’s head pops out of the neck hole he is met with Jeongguks face inches away from his with a pretty blush that gets worse the longer Taehyung stares at him....

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...Taehyung slides his arms through the sweatshirt and likes how the material swamps him. Jeongguk reaches around Taehyungs neck and grabs the hood, bringing it up around Taehyung’s head. The jacket smells like Jeongguk, Taehyung realizes, and he tries to inhale as much of the spicy cologne as possible without it being extremely obvious....

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...Taehyung feels Jeongguks hands on his and he looks down to see Jeongguk putting hand warmers in his hands. Jeongguk curls Taehyung's fists around the heating packets and then gently buries Taehyung's hands in the jacket pockets....

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...“Don’t be cold.” Jeongguk's says simply and then turns around and slides his feet up on the bench and sets his head on Taehyung's thigh, closing his eyes....

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...Taehyung stares down at Jeongguks face as he rests there a little shocked at first but then seeing the tired look on Jeongguks face he resigns to memorizing the little scar on his left cheek and the way his nose slopes down to pink lips....

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...Taehyung brings his hands out of the pockets and gingerly brushes black bangs out of Jeongguk's eyes. Jeongguks eyes flutter but don’t open and Taehyung cups the boy's cheeks with his warms hands, warming the freezing skin of Jeongguks face while tenderly avoiding his cuts and bruises....

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...Taehyung keeps caressing Jeongguks face and eventually his eyes open....

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...“What are you doing?” he says lazily closing his eyes again at the relaxing touches....

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...Taehyung blushes but keeps running his fingers lightly over the planes of Jeongguks face, grateful that his eyes are closed and he can’t see Taehyungs blush....

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...“I’m warming your face” Taehyung replies as nonchalantly as he can, brushing his pointer finger down the slope of Jeongguks nose....

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...Jeongguk laughs softly at his response but says nothing so Taehyung continues. Taehyung breaks the silence again after a few moments,“You’re a great skater”...

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...Jeongguks eyebrows raise at the compliment and he exhales while making a content humming noise....

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...Taehyung runs his hands through the soft locks of black hair and says quietly, “I’m a little afraid to compete against you”...

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...At this Jeongguks eyes snap open and he regards Taehyung with confusion,...

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...“Why?” he says after a few moments....

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...Taehyung looks away from Jeongguk and stares straight forward. He keeps brushing his fingers calmly through Jeongguks hair, ignoring the gaze on his face....

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...“Your skating is perfect. How could I not be scared?” he says looking down at Jeongguk as he asks the question....

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...Jeongguks frowns and Taehyung pokes the wrinkles formed between his eyebrows. Jeongguk laughs and playfully swats the finger away. Taehyung grins at the cute bunny teeth that appear when Jeongguk smiles....

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...“You're a great skater yourself.” Jeongguk says smiling reassuringly, “You could easily beat me.”...

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...Taehyung looks down disbelieving, “How?” he says sarcastically....

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...Jeongguk shrugs “Just beat me. I’m not that good, you’re a great skater and you have been skating your whole life! Are you already admitting defeat because you’re scared of losing?” Jeongguk sits up and turns toward Taehyung with his legs straddling the bench. leaning forward he stares at Taehyung harshly....

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...Taehyung scrunches up his faces and throws a leg over the bench so he’s facing Jeongguk in the same sitting position....

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...Taehyung pokes Jeongguk in the chest, “I am not going to lose to a brat like you” Taehyung huffs staring equally hard back at Jeongguk....

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...Jeongguk a lips twitch and he moves forward so their noses are almost touching....

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...“If you’re scared, give it all you got and beat the shit out of me. Do something so good, people will be knocked off their feet”...

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...Taehyung holds his breath as he looks into Jeongguks eyes. They sparkle with excitement,...

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...“I'll give it all I've got too, and we’ll make this a fun competition,” Jeongguk says with a smirk, “It's been awhile since there's been someone who I actually had to worry about losing to. Don't be scared to compete against me because I don't know if I'll win this one”...

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...Jeongguk’s handsome smirk is still on his lips and Taehyung feels aggravated that the younger is so arrogant and nonchalant but his smirk makes Taehyung feel butterflies....

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...Jeongguk moves to lean back but Taehyung’s hands dart forward and grab the back of Jeongguk neck. Jeongguk eyes are wide as Taehyung jerks Jeongguk’s face back towards his. Taehyung's heart pounds as he closes his eyes and smashes his lips aggressively against Jeongguks....

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