2nd October, 2023

dusk till dawn - zayn, sia

You groan as you open your eyes, the harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital ward causing your head to throb. You try to sit up, but a sharp pain in your side makes you wince and lie back down. Looking down, you see the bandages covering your wound and the memories of the gunfight flood back to you. The chaos of the battle replays in your mind like a never-ending loop - the deafening sounds of gunfire, the acrid smell of smoke, and the screams of your teammates as they fight for their lives. How have you ended up here, lying on a hospital bed, battered and bruised?

"You think I'd leave you all to die?" The voice of Lucio echoes in your head. You remember him swooping in to save you all, his calm demeanour a stark contrast to the chaos around you.

"Where exactly are we?" You ask, still feeling groggy from whatever pain medication you have been given.

"My house," Lucio answers, his voice soothing and calm. You chuckle at the insanity of it. But then again, you're a gang that constantly finds yourselves in dangerous situations. A hospital ward in Lucio's house doesn't seem all that out of place.

"We get shot at for a living," Lucio adds "So I figured I might as well have a makeshift hospital ward set up here."

"Let's not get too caught up on that. Jungkook confessed his love for little flame," Jimin chirps from his bed with a mischievous grin. Jungkook, in his bed, groans and buries his face in his hands.

"I thought I was dying. I take it back," Jungkook splutters, his voice muffled by his hands. Jimin bursts out laughing, joined by Isabella, who is curled up next to him.

"She didn't say it back, did she?" Isabella teases. You smile at the banter between your teammates. Even amid danger and chaos, they find moments of levity.

"Oh, damn. Even when you're bleeding out, you get rejected," Jimin teases, earning a playful shove from Jungkook.

"You just going to let them abuse your son like this?" Jungkook turns to Lucio, who is watching them with a small smile.

"It's rather fun to watch," Lucio beams, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Just saying she told me she loved me," Noah boasts from his bed.

"Has he not been killed yet?" Jungkook grumbles.

"Unfortunately not," Natalie quips from her bed.

Noah playfully shoves Natalie. "Natalie."

"You've got to let it go, man," Taehyung adds with a chuckle from his bed.

"Some of us are still trying to sleep here," Yoongi deadpans from his bed.

Jimin chuckles. "You love us, Yoongs," he jests, his voice filled with teasing affection. "Admit it."

"Do I?" Yoongi asks, his tone dry and sarcastic, earning a round of laughs from the group.

"We know you're not as cool as you act," Jin interjects, from his bed, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You took a bullet for Chim."

Yoongi's response is quick and sharp. "And I'll put a bullet in you," he threatens, only to be met with mocking laughter from Namjoon in his bed. "Ooo, scary," he taunts, causing Yoongi to roll his eyes in exasperation.

Hoseok perks up from his bed. "I don't know about anyone else, but I could kill for a sprite right about now."

You can't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Here you are, lying in a hospital bed, bruised, battered, and with a gunshot wound. Besides you, your teammates are also nursing their own wounds from the mission. But despite the pain and uncertainty of your line of work, you can all still find humour in the chaos that surrounds you. As you look around the room at your fellow gang members, you can't help but feel a sense of camaraderie and belonging that you have never experienced before. You're more than just a group of criminals running the streets - you're family. You have each other's backs through thick and thin, and moments like these only solidify your bond.

TW: IMPRISONMENT

game of survival - ruelle

Johnathan stands his piercing blue eyes boring into you. Their cold and calculating gaze is like a predator studying its prey. His tall and lean figure towering over you. His porcelain skin only adds to his intimidating presence. His features are sharp and angular, with a strong jawline and high cheekbones that make him look even more sinister.

His dark brunette hair is neatly groomed, adding to his aura of power and control. The slight stubble on his jaw only serves to enhance his rugged and intimidating appearance. His personality is as dark as his appearance, his heart as cold as his eyes.

Johnathan has always been the type of person who takes pleasure in the suffering of others, his lack of empathy is a driving force behind his cruel actions. He uses his intelligence and charm to manipulate those around him, weaving a web of lies and deceit that ensnare his victims. In his hand, he holds a rusty chain, which he begins to pull, revealing a figure that makes your blood run cold.

It is Isabella, bound and gagged, tears streaming down her face. You gasp in horror as Johnathan's cruel laughter echoes around you, the sound sending a chill down your spine. You try to run towards Isabella, but it is as if an invisible force holds you back, keeping you just out of reach.

You scream for your sister, begging Johnathan to let her go, but he only laughs harder, revelling in your torment. Your mind races with fear and desperation as you struggle to free yourself from the nightmare that surrounds you. You know you have to find a way to save Isabella, no matter the cost. With a surge of adrenaline, you break free from the invisible barrier and sprint towards your sister, your heart pounding in your chest.

But no matter how fast you run, Isabella seems to slip further away, the distance between you growing with each step. Your breath comes in short, ragged gasps as you push your body to its limits, your mind consumed with the thought of saving your sister from Johnathan's clutches. As you finally reach Isabella, Johnathan's laughter grows louder, mocking your efforts.

You frantically try to untie the chains that bound your sister, your hands shaking with fear and anger. Isabella's eyes meet yours, filled with terror and desperation. You wake up, your heart racing and your body covered in a cold sweat.

Isabella squeezed your hand. "What's wrong?" Isabella asks, her voice filled with concern.

"He got away," you whisper, your voice barely audible. Isabella's stomach twists with rage at the thought of Johnathan slipping through their fingers. But she pushes her anger aside, focusing instead on comforting you.

"Yes, but you're alive," Isabella coos softly, tears welling up in her eyes. She can't bear the thought of losing her sister, her best friend. You reach out a trembling hand and wipe away Isabella's tears, a weak smile gracing your lips.

safe and sound - capital cities

"Chim, you got your cigarettes?" You call out.

"You smoke in here this place will blow up," Namjoon chimes in with a smirk.

You roll your eyes, ignoring Namjoon's warning. "Guess we're going out then," you declare, determination in your voice.

Jimin raises an eyebrow. "Do you really think Andrea will let us leave?" he asks, referring to his aunty who is strict when it comes to their health and safety.

You smirk mischievously. "When did rules ever stop us as kids?" You ask, reminiscing about your wild and reckless childhood adventures. "Right, hands up if you didn't get shot."

"So just Jimin, Hoseok, Noah, and Isabella. You guys are on wheelchair-pushing duty," you declare, causing a chorus of protests from the group.

Taehyung scoffs. "I can walk," he insists, trying to sit up in his bed. Yoongi and Jin exchange amused glances.

"So can I," Jin chimes in, flexing his muscles.

Yoongi nods in agreement. "I'm fine too," he adds, determined to show that he is not as injured as his friends.

They begin to plan their escape, and you assign roles to each person in the group. Jimin is tasked with pushing Jungkook in his wheelchair, Hoseok is to push Natalie, Noah is to push Namjoon, and Isabella is to push you.

"Your chariot awaits, Miss Primrose," Jungkook smirks with a twinkle in his eye as he points to his lap.

"Issy's pushing me," you protest, looking to  Isabella for support.

"Nope, I'm lookout," Isabella chimes in, giggling and glancing out the door to make sure the coast is clear.

The sky is dark, a blanket of midnight blue, sprinkled with twinkling stars that seem to dance and shimmer above the heads of the eleven friends gathered around the garden table. The only source of light is a small table lamp in the centre, casting a warm, flickering glow over the faces of the group. Isabella is sitting on Jimin's lap, her head resting against his chest as she listens to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Taehyung, Yoongi, Jin, Hoseok, and Noah sit beside them, their faces illuminated by the soft light, their expressions a mix of contentment and joy. Jungkook is in his wheelchair, his dark eyes reflecting the light as he glances around at his friends. You sit on his lap, your fingers intertwined with his as you lean in close. Namjoon sits in his wheelchair, his gaze fixed on the stars above as he puffs on his cigarette, the smoke curling up into the night sky.

Natalie sits in her wheelchair, a small smile playing on her lips as she watches the scene before her unfold. Jimin pulls out a pack of cigarettes and lights one before flicking the box at you. You catch it effortlessly, flashing him a grin before passing it to Jungkook.

He takes out a cigarette for himself and you, placing yours in your mouth and lighting it before lighting his own. He then offers one to Natalie, who accepts it with a small nod of thanks. Taehyung and Noah quickly follow suit, lighting their own cigarettes as they settle in for the night.

electric love - borns

You lean back against Jungkook, taking a drag of your cigarette. "This reminds me of when we were teenagers and used to sneak out."

Jimin nods, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, how could I forget? Like when we stole Lucio's vodka and replaced it with water. He had no idea what hit him until the next day."

Jungkook shakes his head, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I still remember the look on his face when he took a swig."

Taehyung chuckles, running a hand through his hair. "I don't think I've ever seen Amor so drunk."

"You should have seen her in college," Natalie interjects, a knowing look passing between her and Noah.

"We were at a party once and she proceeded to projectile vomit over the balcony on a group of people. You should have seen their faces," Noah recalls, a hearty laugh escaping him.

Namjoon raises an eyebrow. "Not as bad as the time Jimin pissed off the balcony and Jungkook was getting with Sage under it."

Jimin chuckles at the memory. "What, he can check Golden Shower off his list now."

"Remember that time we got drunk and thought climbing scaffolding would be a great idea. Issy fell off, breaking her arm."Taehyung chuckles, shaking his head at the memory.

"Ah, yes. The infamous scaffolding incident," Isabella chimes in, a smirk playing on her lips. "I thought my dad was going to kill us when he found out."

Yoongi leans back in his chair, a smirk on his face as he brings up the boat party where Hoseok and Jin had hilariously tried to recreate the famous Titanic scene. "Nothing beats the time Hoseok and Jin fell off the boat and had to be rescued by a helicopter," Yoongi laughs, shaking his head at the memory.

"Nope, doesn't top the time you went to a party and called us the next day because you somehow made it to Ireland," Hoseok adds, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he looks at Yoongi.

The garden automatic light flicks on as Lucio steps into the garden. Everyone thinks they're busted. The soft glow illuminates the faces of the friends, who are anxiously awaiting his arrival. Lucio grins mischievously, holding up a bottle of vodka. "If you're going to sneak out, you have to do it properly," he declares, popping the cap off the bottle. "I brought the vodka. Andrea is bringing the glasses."

Andrea smiles as she balances the tray of thirteen glasses in her hands, carefully making her way over to the garden table where everyone is gathered. The glasses clink softly against each other, the ice cubes tinkling merrily as she moves. The night air is cool and crisp, the early autumn among them. Lucio pours out the vodka, raising his glass to cheers everyone. A chorus of voices joins in, echoing the sentiment of gratitude and love that fills the air.

Your heart swells with gratitude. These people, your chosen family, have been by your side through thick and thin. They have celebrated together, cried together, and supported each other through all of life's ups and downs. And tonight, as they raise their glasses in a toast, You can't help but smile at the sight of their faces illuminated by the lamp.

The night wears on, the drinks flowing freely and the conversation weaving in and out of lighthearted banter and heartfelt confessions. You listen as your friends share their dreams, their fears, and their hopes for the future. They speak of love and loss, of triumphs and failures, and through it all, they lean on each other for support and understanding.