Belong | Min Yoongi

03: Present Day

"How is it that the Pegasus have been playing here for months but it's the first time we're watching their game live?" Geumjae asks incredulously as he sips his beer.

"Because it's the first home game of the season against the Thunders when I'm home and when Jungkook and Namjoon don't have girlfriends to give their tickets to," Yoongi explains to his older brother. "And well, I never asked before."

"Well, good on us that you're here and your friends currently don't have girlfriends," Geumjae laughs. "Also, you could totally ask. They're your friends; I don't think it would be that hard for them to get extra seats for us."

"I'm not their only friend here. I'm sure a bunch of the guys from college would ask," Yoongi shrugs.

"You're not just their friend, Yoon," his brother groans. "You played with them, you captained them, and led them to college championships."

"Yeah, yet I'm the one hustling it out as a college coach while they're playing pro," the younger man huffs.

He doesn't mean to be bitter. He loves those guys, hustled it out with them until the late evenings just to get the proper training and workout in almost a decade ago. He couldn't be any prouder when Jungkook and Namjoon got drafted to professional teams and then reunited as teammates with the Seoul Samsung Thunders just 2 years ago. Yoongi had been the encouraging senior who messaged them right away, happy for his peers for being together again just like old times. He won't lie and say it didn't sting a bit to be left out from the life they all dreamed of having, with him being the only one who didn't get to achieve it alongside them.

"Well, if it matters at all, you're doing amazing," Geumjae tries to cheer his brother up. "I read online that many are calling your team to win it all this year. Imagine being the only person in your school's history to be a champion player and coach? Not just anyone can say that."

Yoongi hums, trying to let the thought comfort him. It doesn't do much; coaching a college basketball team is leagues away from playing professionally. The energy is different, so is the hustle. Shooting hoops with the kids during training isn't the same. The lights and the cheers as he sits on the bench calling plays isn't the same either. He can at least say that with coaching, he's able to shape and mentor the young ones, direct them to better paths, encourage them to reach their dreams, and to not settle for a life they're not happy with or proud of. He's got a bunch of players who got drafted last year and dedicated their first professional game to him, and that's an indescribable feeling he'll always hold onto. It reminds him that even if it wasn't him, it was at least someone he cared about.

He watches as the players do their warmups on court before the start of the game. This isn't the first time he's watched live, but it's the first time with Jungkook and Namjoon as teammates, so seeing them goof around and do the handshake that they used to do warms his heart a little. Maybe it's this bit of joy that he needs to remind him that it's okay, that even if life turned out differently for him, at least basketball is still part of his life. There's more he wants, of course, but this is way better than nothing. He reminds himself at one point, he didn't think he could ever set foot on a basketball court again.

The game finally starts and though he's usually quiet whenever he watches games, he can't help the small small cheer he makes whenever Jungkook or Namjoon scores or makes crucial plays. He still knows their moves, can still read Jungkook's pump-fake, and can still tell by Namjoon's stance if he's gonna make that rare three. Though he was a shooting guard during his glory days, Yoongi still prides himself in his playmaking skills and knowing his teammates well, something that scouts used to rave about.

Yoongi sips his beer, no doubt enjoying the exciting match. He obviously wants the Thunders to win, but the Pegasus aren't backing down, not letting themselves trail by more than 8 points. He's in a bit of a trance, as he lets himself drown in the cheers of the crowd, imagining that it's him leaving it all out on the court.