The beach was alive—salt in the air, music thumping from somewhere down the shore, heat clinging to skin like a second layer. Jungkook wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, chest rising as he laughed, eyes bright.

"Point’s ours," Hoseok said, hands on his hips, grinning.

Jungkook bounced the volleyball once, then tossed it up, shoulders rolling as he jumped. His body moved on instinct—strong, practiced, careless in that confident way that came from knowing everyone was watching anyway.

He hit the ball hard.

Too hard.

The impact sent it flying off-course, cutting through the air like a missile. Jungkook’s grin faltered as he tracked it, eyes widening.

"Oh—wait—"

Thud.

The sound was unmistakable.

The ball struck Niko square in the face just as he sat up from his towel, sunlight still clinging to his skin. The sunglasses slipped down his nose. Jimin shot up instantly, Taehyung swore under his breath, Seokjin already halfway to standing.

Jungkook froze for half a second.

Then he was running.

"Fuck—fuck, I’m so sorry!" His feet dug into the sand as he closed the distance, heart pounding harder than it ever did during a game. Up close, the sight hit him differently. Niko looked stunned, hand lifting slowly to his face, expression sharp and beautiful and dangerous in the way only confident people were.

Jungkook stopped just in front of him, towering without meaning to. He immediately crouched down, palms braced on his knees.

"Hey," he said, voice low, serious now. "That was my fault. Are you hurt?"

Niko didn’t answer. He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing, clearly assessing the situation—and him. Jungkook swallowed.

Jimin stepped closer. "You got some nerve."

"I know," Jungkook replied quickly, eyes never leaving Niko. "And you’re right. I messed up."

Namjoon and Yoongi hovered a few steps back, watching with interest. This wasn’t like Jungkook—he was usually smooth, teasing, fearless. Now? He looked… focused. Almost undone.

Jungkook gently rolled the ball away with his foot, like it offended him now.

"Your nose—" he hesitated, leaning in just enough to look without touching, "—it doesn’t look broken. I think. I mean, I’m not a doctor, but I’ve taken hits before."

He exhaled a small laugh that didn’t quite land.

"I can grab ice. Or sunscreen—no, that’s stupid—water. Definitely water." He pushed up to his feet. "I’ll be right back, okay?"

He didn’t wait for an answer, jogging to their cooler and grabbing a cold bottle and a towel wrapped around ice. When he returned, he knelt again, holding them out carefully, respectfully, like Niko might bite if he moved wrong.

"Here," Jungkook said softly. "If you want."

Their eyes met properly now.

Something electric snapped between them—uninvited, undeniable. Jungkook felt it straight in his chest, like the moment before a storm breaks.

He cleared his throat.

"I swear I’m not usually this reckless," he added, lips tilting into a crooked smile. "Just… unlucky today."

The sun blazed overhead, waves crashing rhythmically behind them, friends fading into the background as if they were nothing more than extras.

Jungkook tilted his head slightly, curiosity slipping past apology.

"Guess this isn’t the best first impression," he said.