Little Piglet ♡ Jaemsung

¹⁶ hoop dreams

Haechan wanted to check in with his old pal, but because senior year was so hectic for Jeno, shooting hoops after school was more like a pastime.

So it was surprising when he received a text from the boy asking him to meet on the basketball court for a game after school.

As usual, Jeno became shirtless only three minutes in. For a 17 year old, he was pretty fit, Jeno had a hobby of working out. Whereas, Haechan had the hobby of eating. He liked to tease him for being so jacked.

"there's no one here, no need to flex your muscles," Haechan complained.

"I just don't wanna sweat on my uniform," Jeno ensured, "don't worry about me flabby boy."

By the middle of the basketball match, Hae was already becoming tired. But he didn't want it to show,  so powered through with multiple water breaks.

Jeno threw the ball under his arm, watching as Hae gulped down another bottle of water.

"you know you shouldn't drink water during a match, you'll cramp up."

Hae threw the now empty bottle aside and waved his arms in disagreement, "yeah yeah whatever, throw the ball."

Jeno dribbled, eying the basketball rim in the distance,  "Ahh, volleyball is killing your testosterone."
"That's fine," Hae exhaled. Jeno failed at making the shot, and it became Hae's chance, so once the ball was in his hands, he split past him and made a winning free throw.
"At least I have some skill to my game. What's so hard about throwing a ball into a hoop."

Jeno laughed at Hae's trash talk.

"And" Haechan continued, passing him the ball out of pity. "My team is co-ed...

Jeno dribbled slowly, wondering what the smart mouthed boy was about to say next.

"Don't you get tired of rubbing up on guys all day."

Jeno dribbled quicker, walking the ball towards the net. Before shooting his last victory shot, in which Hae didn't bother to block, he responded matter of factly, "No actually. Kinda my style."

Hae stood with a pathetic look on his face, causing Jeno to laugh uncontrollably. The two showered quickly at the school lockers, before walking home. Walking after a game weirdly felt relieving to their aching joints.

☼

Haechan knew Jen's true nature, in high school he seemed to morph into a well respected jock, but underneath he was naive and insecure. His good looks also made him popular with the girls, but because he was noncommittal and oblivious, he would cause a rift on both sides, offending his male admirers too.

Jeno didn't care to bother with any of them anyways, it was all an attempt to ruffle Jaemin's feathers.

The more the star boy didn't care, the more Jeno would push. Eventually coming back to square one, begging for the boy's attention. It didn't help that everyone wanted the mysterious boy too, but Jeno stole the position next to him. Making them both, essentially off limits.

Haechan became hip to their endless torture of a friendship, and for a while he didn't understand how his best friend could be so attached until he realized they had history way before high school. Haechan still cared for his friend and didn't approve of his seemingly unrequited love.

Haechan waited until Jen was almost home to ask the dire question,
"Soo.." he began impatiently,  "Dating anyone new?"

Jeno rolled his eyes but focused on the ground while walking. He knew Hae didn't need to really ask, he knew...everything about him.