»»————-　☆　————-««

It's been about ten minutes and Jungkook was checking through the rooms one last time to make sure there was no one left behind.  After all this time, the younger had barely seen Taehyung, but knowing that he was safely following the other boys made Jungkook feel a little better.  "I think we're all good now, Joon hyung.  Let's get to the lobby." Jungkook made sure before he and Namjoon headed upstairs.

Assuming that all the company workers had escaped, they were surprised to find out that they were crowded in the lobby, not daring to get into the elevator.  "What's going on?" Namjoon pushed past the people to the front.

"There's armed gangster people in the hair salon." Someone let out in fear.  "They say they'll shoot us if we try to escape this building."

"It's the boss's men!" Jungkook exclaimed, internally cursing.  Of course the boss would trap them in the building.

"We need to fight back." Namjoon breathed out, speaking into his transceiver earpiece.  "Guys, the boss's men are trapping us in the building.  None of the workers could get out."

"What?  Those fuckers are back?" Yoongi's voice responded first.

"What do we do?" Jin asked.

The purple haired hesitated before answering.  "For those who are fit to use a weapon, wipe them out first.  The others should stay and calm the crowd."

Jungkook and Namjoon exchanged glances in worry.  Just when they thought things would have turned out okay, Jungkook's mother and the boss just had to come back with another strike.  The younger bit his lower lip nervously, knowing that people would get hurt now that there were weapons involved.

"It's gonna be alright, Jungkook.  We're trained with these things." Namjoon lightly waved his gun with a hopeful smile.  "You should probably stay with the workers.  The rest we can take care."

Although the words were encouraging, Jungkook couldn't help but feel that he needed to do something.  "Okay..."

Jungkook spotted Hoseok with the crowd, telling them everything he knew about the whole commotion and calming them down.  He was hoping that he would see Taehyung in the crowd too, but the boy was no where to be seen.  This went by for a couple of minutes before Namjoon and Yoongi came out from the elevator, face dripping with sweat and a few scars visible.

"Fuck.  Guys, I think we're gonna need more than twenty to get these people out." Namjoon cursed, knowing very well that the boss and his men wanted to extend the time as much as possible.  They were running out of time, with the only hope being...

Jungkook widened his eyes as an idea popped into his head.  "Just keep trying.  I think I have an idea." The boy raced back downstairs.

Namjoon and Yoongi exchanged glances, confused.

"I'm going after him." Yoongi yelled, running after Jungkook.

»»————-　☆　————-««

The moment Yoongi caught up with Jungkook, he realized the younger was at a vault with a gigantic bomb in it.  Afraid, the older approached the boy only to notice that he was playing... a game?

"What are you doing?" Yoongi whispered out loud.

"I-I think I can stop the bomb.  Or at least extend the time a little for you guys." Jungkook said, eyes glued to the game.  "Look, Yoongi." He pointed at the timer.  "Each time I win a level, the bomb timer increases a minute.  There's about twenty levels, so I can get you guys twenty minutes more time to fight the men out there."

"That's great.  But what about after?  What if you can't pass the levels anymore?  Can't you see that this is all a trap?"

Jungkook looked down while staying quiet. Yoongi continued, "I understand there's gonna be many innocent people who die tonight from the bomb. But, please, don't put yourself in this as well."

"But if I try, I can save everyone in the building." Jungkook protested.

"No, god damn it.  Don't you get it?!" Yoongi messed his hair, frustrated and scared of losing the boy. "This isn't about being a hero and shit. This is obviously a trap intended to kill Jungkook. Your mother's main target is to destroy you, Kook. Even if she had to murder all those innocent people along with you."

"No, hyung. I have to do it."

"Stop, please." Yoongi shut his eyes.

"Hyung!" Jungkook screamed between tears, shaking the boy. "I have to try. Please."

The raven hair sighed, eyes slightly watering as he eyed the younger.  "Why. Why are you doing this?"

"Taehyung told me he created a way to beat this game. So there's definitely a small chance to stop that bomb. Even if there's a tiny bit of hope, I will do it to save everyone. I let my father down once, I won't do it again. Trust me in this, Yoongi hyung.  I'm your best chance in getting extra time to get everyone out in time."

"Fine." Jungkook felt the older's trembling cold hands squeezing tightly onto his. "Goodluck, Jungkook. You're a good kid."  The raven haired suddenly brought the younger closer into a tight hug, breaking the boy's heart.

"You can tell me that after I stop this bomb." Jungkook joked, though Yoongi knew the boy was terrified. "Thank you.  For everything." The younger really appreciated everything the older did. Despite attempting to rob from his father at the beginning, the raven haired really did a lot to protect Jungkook.

Yoongi nodded his head while fighting the urge of crying... as if was their last time seeing each other.

And then he ran out the door, leaving Jungkook in front of the game.

"Aright. Time to save Yeontan." Jungkook mumbled to himself, continuing to play.

»»————-　☆　————-««

Luckily, thanks to Jungkook, the team was able to get an extra bit of time to fight back the boss's men.  The only problem right now depends on the boys' skill.  As soon as the gangers ran out of bullets, Namjoon, Yoongi, Jimin, Jin and some of the juniors attacked full on into the guys.  

Swiftly, Jimin jabbed at several men with daggers on each of his hand.  Jin tried distracting the men by throwing them kisses while Namjoon surprise attacked them from the back.  Yoongi threw knives afar, accurately stabbing some men.  The juniors acted cute, causing the boss's men to feel pity for them.  Then they quickly transition into wild little beasts with machine guns, destroying them completely.  Everything was going well.  But their twenty minutes were almost up...  Jungkook was almost at his limit.

Yoongi aimed his knife at a man from afar, not realizing that another guy was behind him, aiming at him with his handgun.  Jimin, who was first to take notice, used every inch of his muscles to leap into Yoongi.  His heart pounded so fast he could barely feel his own body as he pushed the older with all his might.  BANG!

Automatically, as if it was already part of his reflex, Yoongi threw a knife at the man who shot the gun and he instantly died.  Suddenly, reality struck the raven haired as he realized that Jimin was shot.  The younger laid on the floor, not moving.  "Fuck.  J-jimin."  Yoongi's lips trembled.

"It's okay!  I'm okay!" Jimin lifted his head up, waving at Yoongi.  His other hand was on his shoulder, visible blood flowing through his fingers.

Yoongi's pupils shook.  "Shit.  Your..."  Hurriedly, the older scooped Jimin in his arms, dashing to the elevator.  All the older could think of was keeping Jimin alive.  "I'm so sorry, Jimin... I should have looked out for myself..."

Jimin let out a laugh, eye squinting into little crescent moons.  "Silly.  That's supposed to be my job."

Yoongi knew Jimin was just trying to soothe his anxiety.  Deep down, Jimin was probably in pain physically and was dying.  No... don't think about that... He pushed those thoughts away.  Jimin isn't gonna die.

As soon as the elevator door opened, Yoongi yelled for help from the crowd.  "Is there a doctor here?  Please, anyone!" He knew all the people in the room were business workers and probably have no medical background, but it was worth a try.

No response, as the older wasn't loud enough, he yelled even louder.  "PLEASE.  IS THERE A DOCTOR?  PLEASE.  I NEED HELP.  HE'S DYING.  PLEASE." Tears fell off his eyes, his voice breaking.

Taehyung and Hoseok, who recognized the voice squeezed through to meet Yoongi.

Hoseok cursed as Taehyung hurriedly checked up on Jimin.  Jimin's eyes were droopy, body limp and face pale.  Not a good sign.

"First Jungkook now..." The words automatically escaped from Yoongi's lips as Taehyung caught them.

Hoseok yelled on the top of his lungs, which was effectively loud.  "WE NEED A DOCTOR.  IT'S A HUGE EMERGENCY."

Luckily, a woman responded from far away, pushing past the people.  "Here!"  The workers made way for the doctor, who quickly got to work with Jimin's shoulder.

"I-is it bad?" Yoongi stuttered.

"It's just a graze.  He'll be okay." The doctor assured.  "But if we gotta stop the blood from flowing as quickly as possible."

As soon as she said it, Yoongi took off his cardigan.  "Use it.  Stop the blood."

The woman nodded her head, cleaning the blood and wrapping the cardigan around Jimin's shoulder.  Taehyung combed Jimin's sweaty wet hair back, soothing the boy.

"Thank you." Hoseok said to the woman, as he knew Yoongi's mind was too occupied.

"No problem.  I'll be by his side if anything happens to him." She responded.  "You can continue fighting off the people outside."

Yoongi eyed Jimin, hesitant.

"Go.  It'll be fine." Hoseok assured, patting Yoongi on the back.  "Me and Taehyung will keep an eye on him too."

"Okay." Yoongi looked over the people one last time before stopping at Taehyung.

Strangely, there was something lurking in his eyes when he eye contacted Taehyung.  Before Taehyung could say anything, the older turned away, running into the elevator.  The elevator door closed, only to suddenly open at the last second.

To Yoongi's surprise, it was Taehyung, his finger pressed on the button stopping Yoongi.  "Yoongi... Where's Jungkook?" Taehyung demanded, knowing exactly that something was off about Yoongi.

"Now's not the time. We gotta bring these people out the building!" Yoongi pressed the elevator door closed, only for Taehyung to stop the doors with his arm.

"No... you know where Jungkook is, don't you?  You said something about Jungkook earlier."

"No, I don't. Now can we god damn please get these peop-"

Suddenly, Taehyung reach into the elevator to grab Yoongi by his collar, shaking him. "Yoongi! I know you're lying to me! I'm not dumb.  I know we're getting extra time for a reason.  Where is Jungkook?"

Yoongi cursed under his breath before pushing Taehyung's hands away. "With... the bomb."

"Fuck. How could you let him..." Taehyung's voice faded, lips faltering.

"J-Jungkook said you created a way to beat the level. So he decided to take those chances..."

"What do you mean...?"

"The bomb... it was connected with that game you programmed."

Without any second thought, the brown whipped around.  Yoongi gripped onto the younger, not letting him go.  "Taehyung! Don't you fuckin' go there too!  You'll die..."

Taehyung whipped his head around to question.  "What do you mean?"

"Jungkook said twenty minutes was his limit.  If my calculations are correct, the timer is only a few seconds left.  By the time you get there, it's likely too late for you two to rush back out the building.  You'll die with Jungkook."

Ignoring the older's warning, the brown haired raced down to where the bomb is. Yoongi ran after him, though failing to catch up with him in the crowd. " Taehyung!  Get back here!" He yelled.

"Jungkook doesn't know what he's facing, Yoongi. The game is impossible to beat without my help!" Taehyung yelled back from afar, remembering what he said to Jungkook about the secret route.

»»————-　☆　————-««

Jungkook tried, everything he could possibly do to a game.  He thought about changing the avatar's clothes each time he played.  None of them worked.  He then combined with all the possibilities of hair with each clothing.  Still no hope.  Perhaps it was the route that he had to take?  Or perhaps it was the choices that he made at the beginning?

The boy whipped his head at the time, knowing that he'd used up all his time.  It was already too late for the boy to escape the building fast enough.  But at least... at least the others could live another day.  At least Taehyung would survive.

"Jungkook... oh, my poor boy..." The familiar voice shocked the younger suddenly.

"Tae?" Jungkook's eyes broke away from the game suddenly, losing all senses. The last person Jungkook wanted dead. And he's right here, next to him. Next to the bomb. Jungkook's eyes watered, unable to see the older's face clearly. How on earth did things come to this?

"Tae... please get out of here!" Jungkook screamed, his voice cracking. His other hand harshly shoving the older away. "I said GO AWAY, PLEASE... please I don't want you to die..."

"Jungkook." the older hushed.  "Don't you dare cry. We're not gonna die here. I won't let it happen."

"Tae..." Jungkook choked between his cries. "I-I've played this... over a hundred times already. I can't pass it. It's over and it's too late for us to escape from the bomb. I'm so sorry, Tae. I'm s-"

"Shhh... it's okay, Kookie. I'll help you out. We can work this together. It's not over yet.  Remember I told you there was a secret way to pass it?"

"I remember.  And I tried everything..." Jungkook sniffled.

"I bet you did.  You're smart.  You saved everyone already." Taehyung smiled.  He admired what Jungkook had become today.  Of course, still an excellent gamer as he always was.  But now he was a lot more careful with his words, considered his actions before doing things.  He had grown wiser with an ever so kind heart.

"Are they.. safe?" Jungkook made sure.  God, was the kid so selfless, it hurt Taehyung.

"Yeah.  They all made it outside the building."

"That's... good." Jungkook's had reached to the computer once again to start over.  Taehyung realized the younger's hands were red and bruised from playing too long.

Taehyung placed a hand to stop Jungkook. "Don't move the controller. That's how you win the game."

"W-what?"

"If you leave the avatar still long enough, the boss would give up fighting you.  That's how you pass the final level."

Jungkook did as he was told, letting go of the controller. After all this time, endlessly fighting. Only to be told not to fight.

"What if it doesn't work?"

A part of Taehyung wanted to tell Jungkook that it would work.  But he knew he didn't program the game to be perfectly the way he wanted it to be.  Indeed, he had programmed the game to end that way.  But he had never made sure it worked for himself.  All they could grasp at was luck.  

Taehyung shook away those thoughts, knowing he should never tell Jungkook that.  "Stop thinking it that way, Kook. What if it does work? Think about all the people you've saved. And-"

"Tae... we only have two minutes left!" Jungkook's voice broke in fear, tears trickling. His heart was pounding, his throat sore from crying, and his entire body shaking in immense fear of death.

The older brought the boy closer to his chest, continuing to whisper in his ear. "-and think about the future we'll have together after we get out of this shithole. Just you and me, Kookie. I'd visit your college everyday."

Jungkook smiled between his tears, slowly forgetting the bomb as well as everything else. "Fuck college. I'd stay with you all day." Jungkook replied quietly.

"That's right, Kooks. We can spend all day looking at each other. We can go traveling like I promised you. Heck, I'll marry you and we'll settle down in a nice place and have kids and-"

Taehyung stopped, feeling a tear roll down his cheek. So much for reassuring Jungkook. Even he was feeling the end come near.  The two glanced at the time. One minute.

"Tae, I..." Jungkook voice had completely gone from the fear of the time.

Taehyung caressed the younger's arms, whispering.  "Hush, it's okay baby. Don't be scared. I've got you safe in my arms."  But even Taehyung was afraid himself.  "Do me a favor and look at me, Kook. I want to see my baby smile again." He requested the younger, knowing that it was the only thing that gave him reassurance that things were gonna be fine.

The younger looked into the boy's eyes, revealing a warm smile that filled Taehyung's heart with happiness.  He was just so perfect.

Another final glance at the time. Nineteen seconds.  The bomb was still going...

"Okay, I'll admit.  My game really is trash." Taehyung joked as Jungkook let out a nervous laugh.  The older held the boy tighter to his chest, reality hitting him next after it hit Jungkook. He heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry. I was really planning on having a future with you..."

"Taehyung." Jungkook's round, pure eyes twinkled as he smiled. "You know it's okay if we don't end up doing all these things, having a life together.  We don't have to win this stupid game. What really matters most is that we have each other right now."

"You're right, Kookie. Being with you is already the best I could ever ask for."

"You have no idea... how happy I am to be on your side right now."  Jungkook voice rasped, "Taehyung, I love you."

"I love you..." Taehyung whispered, holding the younger tightly in his chest for dear life, repeating the sweet words one last time.  "I love you, Jungk-"

Suddenly, a loud and deafening sound cut the lovers' conversation.

»»————-　☆　————-««