Archive of Our Own ^beta

They lost.

70-72.

His team had chosen him for the last shot.

The three-point shot.

The one that could have given them the win.

Taehyung missed.

He sees the ball bounce back on the iron, falling on the ground while the cheers of the opposite team erupt around him. Taehyung feels the ground against his chest, he's lying there, hoping that it's all a dream.

They lost and it's all his fault.

.

It's Yoongi who comes next to him and picks him up, hauling him on his feet and giving him a pat on the back, trying to cheer him on.

It's no use, tears are already prickling his eyes.

He steals a quick glance around. He sees his own teammates crying, their fans are clapping for them, cheering for their effort, but Taehyung can see that they're disappointed as well.

It was their last chance of getting promoted after all.

.

Taehyung holds it together, he hugs the coach, nodding when he tells him it's not his fault, he hugs his teammates and says goodbye to the fans, waving towards them while they clap in his direction.

It's alright.

You did good.

It's not enough to convince Taehyung that they're telling the truth. It's all his fault and he knows it.

He spots Jimin waiting for him in the locker room immediately, smiling at him, and it's then that Taehyung finally breaks down, letting the tears fall.

Jimin is on him in a second.

He gently lulls Taehyung's head on his shoulder, caressing his hair while the other man sobs against him, hugging Jimin in a crushing embrace.

Jimin doesn't tell him that he did well, that it was not his fault, that they'll get another chance next season. He doesn't say anything like that. He knows that Taehyung wouldn't believe him anyway.

There are only three words that Taehyung hears, whispered over and over again, and those three words, those he can believe.

I love you.

.