To say you're concerned is an understatement. 

Why Jimin is in the lighthouse with tears on his face is alarming. Beyond alarming, because one look in his eyes tells you it isn't about Jungkook. When Ariel storms in with the same expression, you put two and two together, rushing over to Jimin and pulling him off to the side, out of earshot of the others. 

"What the hell did you say to her?" you whisper, narrowing your eyes.

Jimin rips his arm out of your grasp, the lack of emotion in his gaze terrifying you more than any gun could. "The truth."

"We have to get moving," Jin says, his voice echoing in the room. "Holden may be dead, but we still have work to do. Any plans?"

"London," Yoongi replies, you keeping your glare on the emotionless Jimin. "Solomon said London is the best bet to stop everything. As much as I hate to admit it, he was right. Without Jungkook, this just got a lot harder, but we don't have much choice. We have to get this over with. Eliminate Madam Avasa, take the Underworld back."

"Would that really work?" Hoseok asks, leaning against the wall. "What, we just stroll to London and take out the leader of our world? Then what, magically no one cares and we're left alone?"

"Not every assassin in the world will be hunting for us then," Yoongi says.

"Are we sure about that?"

"I want to believe it, I want to believe that at least less will be after us. So yeah, I think London's a good idea. Namjoon and Jin and whoever else wants to join them go to one country, we'll go to another. Sound good?"

"Great," Jimin says, wiping his final tear. You notice Ariel and Jimin share a glare, you sighing. "Don't," he whispers to you while the others discuss a plan, Yoongi spearheading the discussion. "Don't get involved. You asked me to do this, so I'm doing it the way I see fit."

Without even raising your voice, you shake your head and reply. "You're my best friend." His eyes expand, you letting out a soft breath. "I know you don't trust me, but I trust you with every cell in my body. Even the smallest part of me trusts you with my life. Jimin, you're my closest ally here, even over my boyfriend. My right hand and closest... person. Not even friend, you're the one I know the most." You step closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. "So when I say this, I hope you know I'm not saying it as your boss. I'm saying it as your friend." He slowly nods, you keeping your eyes on him. "You're making a mistake," you murmur, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "But you're right. I asked you to do this, so I won't force you to make a decision I want. I just hope you know what you're doing."

"I do," he replies right as Yoongi beckons you over.

"If you two are done, we have a plan to discuss." You and Jimin reluctantly head over, Ariel completely avoiding so much as peeking at Jimin. The pity swells up inside you, and it doesn't take a genius to know what Jimin told her. The tears say it all, let alone them ignoring each other.

"What plan do we have?" you ask.

"We get to the airport without anyone noticing us, then, we go to London-"

"No," Jimin interrupts. "We take Namjin to the airport and ship them off, but we can't go yet. One, we shouldn't charter a private jet in the same place. That's weird. Two, we need to get our gear from the hideout and the cars. We shouldn't go unless we're fully armed. We're already down the highest ranked man we know, now we have to work with what we got."

"Jimin's got a point," Jin says. "I know Namjoon and I won't be around, so our opinion doesn't matter as much, but I also want you guys to be armed and ready for whatever comes next."

"Agreed. Jin, Namjoon, discuss your plan with the others as to how you're getting out of here. Jimin, I want you leading their discussion and making sure the plan works," you say, Jimin bowing his head and kissing your cheek out of respect. Crazy how that feels foreign now. "Yoongi and I will discuss the plan as to how we're getting out of here. Yoongi, if you'll join me outside so we can see the landscape?"

He nods, and everyone and their most likely dead mothers can see where this is going, but none of them point it out. Yoongi and you are stressed and need a relief. No one can blame you for that, or if they did, they didn't mention it. Regardless, you guide Yoongi out, shutting the door behind you. There's a shed next to the lighthouse, probably an old one used for supplies. Back when lighthouses had human keepers.

"If you want to talk about Jungkook..."

"I don't," you say, regretting the words as soon as you said them. "It's best to move on."

He approaches from behind you, rubbing his hand on your shoulder. "Is it?"

"It is."

His eyes give you all the words you need to hear, so you turn to meet his gaze, leaning towards him to kiss him. He welcomes it, kissing back with a fire you didn't expect him to have. When you part, his stare burns into yours. "Shed?"

"We have people waiting for us, a plan to make," you whisper, but his hands on your waist throws all logic out the window. "We shouldn't. Not now... it's not right."

"You need a release, Y/n, even if you won't admit it," he replies, tilting his head to observe you more. "You need something. I know you don't think you do, but you do. Five minutes tops, not even. Just... something."

"For you or for me?"

"Both." His soft tone has you nodding, the two of you making your way towards the shed. Yoongi pushes the door open, allowing you inside first. "If you really don't want to do this, then say so."

You grab him by the collar as soon as the door is shut, bringing his lips to yours. It feels so wrong to seek pleasure when Jungkook just left you. This world has taken too much from you, and you'll be damned if you'll stop now. You won't let their deaths be in vain. You won't let anyone sacrifice anything in vain. Never.

Yoongi moves his lips across yours, pinning you to the nearest wall and taking off your pants. You use your hands to do the same to him, gasping at the sensation of his lips pleasuring you. His tongue pokes against yours, and you allow it, pushing back on him. A few seconds later, you part, both of you out of breath as you silently fumble for the other's clothes.

"With everything that's happened, all I want is to feel something good," he whispers, placing his forehead on yours. "Anything to take this pain away. I don't even fucking care anymore. I just need something. Everything's crashing and burning, and I feel like what's next is he'll find out..."

"Yoons," you reply, resting your hand on his cheek. "I don't know what will happen, but he deserves to know."

"But..."

"He does. You and I both know it." You stroke his hair, the man leaning into your touch. "We have so much to do, and so little time to do it. So little time for moments like these, where it's just you and me."

"I want more of this. Us, but the only way we do that is by stopping her. By going to the top and taking her out before she gets any of our other friends killed. Who's next? Hoseok, Jimin..." He pauses, casting his gaze downwards. "You?"

"We won't let that happen. No one else is dying, not now." You tilt his chin up with your finger, "Not now, not ever. I'll make sure of it. We're in this together."

Yoongi bitterly smiles, his eyes reflecting the breaking soul inside him. "I don't know how much longer I can do this for."

"Why?"

He takes a small breath. "Because all I am is a palace of ego, and that palace was built on nothing but trash." 

And just like that, your lips collide again, and all sense of your surroundings slips away.

~~~

A plan was made, and suddenly, the group found themselves nearing the airport. 

Good news: even if the High Council found them and followed them, the odds of them being able to follow Joon, Jin, and Ariel would be slim to none. Bad news: the High Council is probably following them. This was all a plan by Solomon to bring them directly to the High Council member. Now that he's dead, assassins are probably working to find the killers.

Thanks to Jungkook, the number of assassins or people looking to kill them are much lower. Maybe even only 1 or 2, but all it takes is one bullet to change everything. One bullet took out Jungkook's fingers, one bullet permanently damaged Taehyung. One bullet could kill Y/n. Or worse, Ariel.

Jimin peeks at the girl, but her eyes are ahead. His heart throbs, panging with a longing he can't quite put his finger on. Then, he shoves the ache away and focuses on their mission. Their mission to get Namjoon and Jin to safety. Jimin pretends not to notice Y/n and Yoongi holding hands, staying close to each other as if their lives depend on it. He's sure he fails.

"We're almost there, but I think someone's watching us. I guess it makes sense, we've been walking around in public with no cover for almost an hour now," Hoseok says, Jin and Namjoon agreeing.

Taehyung is clinging to Jin, the two moving together. Jimin observes the pair, noticing how gentle Jin is being. How careful. It brings a warmth to Jimin's heart to see them sticking together, then he cracks upon seeing Ariel gazing at him. She parts her eyes from him the second he notices her, but it doesn't change what the contact did to Jimin's body. If they weren't in such a hurry to get to the airport, he's sure he would've broken down right then and there.

She's grasping the bag of comic books he gave her, so at least there's that, but a part of Jimin wants more. To hug her and say it'll be okay. He's not sure if it will be, but she has a better chance wherever Jin and Namjoon are going than she does here. He can't protect her. No one can. Not even Jungkook.

The airport is mere feet away, and that's when it becomes blaringly obvious that someone's following them. Jimin notices one person moving at a gradual pace behind them, almost casually, like they were a bystander. The person is making it known that they're following them. Cocky motherfucker. Jimin mentally groans and keeps his hands balled into fists by his side.

"Let's go," Y/n murmurs, bringing them inside the airport.

"To ensure our safety, we're not telling any of you where we're going," Namjoon says, the others nodding.

"Only fair," Y/n replies. "I would do the same. Who's all going with you?"

"Just Jin and me."

"And Ariel," Jimin says, earning him a glare from both Ariel and Y/n. Regardless, none of them question his decision. As much as it is Ariel's choice to do what she wants, Jimin knows she'll die here. Being responsible for the death of Ariel isn't something he wants. No, not again.

"This way, we're almost there," Hoseok says, pulling them inside the gates of the massive airport.

The fluorescent light cloaks their sorrow, the gigantic building engulfing them. The walls stretch out farther than Jimin can see, not many people rushing around much to his surprise. Granted, if Jimin's counting correctly, it's the middle of the week. The middle of the week isn't a huge travel time, so maybe it makes sense that not many are here. Despite all of that, the crew is quick to speed walk their way to the back of the area.

Many people notice their ragtag group, but fortunately, they don't comment. Jimin will gladly punch anyone who decides to judge them. Now's not the time for distractions though, so Jimin keeps up his pace with the others, reaching the very end of the airport. The one who's following them is moving at the same pace, casually leaning against the wall and observing them.

Ariel keeps her eyes on the person. Jimin, on the other hand, has his eyes on her. She ignores him, perhaps not even noticing his intense stare. She most likely does. The kid is too smart for her own good, much to Jimin's dismay. What happened to innocence in the youth? What happened to childhood? Jimin didn't even have one himself.

Namjoon and Jin are quick to speak to the ones sitting behind the lobby desk, plopping their cards on the table to have it be 'no questions asked'. The receptionists (who don't get paid enough for this bullshit), decide to take their money, sliding the cards in their machines and charging them an obscene amount Jimin can't see.

When the deal is done, Namjoon and Jin rush outside where the planes are, the others following suit. The stretch of road is absolutely gorgeous and gargantuan, but Jimin doesn't have time to observe it. Why? Because Ariel presses herself against the wall next to the door, her motherfucking pocket knife in her small hands. As soon as Jimin turns to yell at her, the door opens, displaying the person who was following them.

The person, now revealed as a man in his mid-thirties, is attacked by Ariel, the young girl stabbing him in the thigh. He cries in pain, Jimin taking the distraction and punching the man, him falling to the ground. Ariel pants, holding the knife to the man's throat. "Woah, kiddo, come on," Jimin whispers, grasping her tiny wrist and lowering it. "That isn't who you are."

"But he could've... he could've..."

"Shh, baby, it's okay," he says, taking the bloody knife from her. 

The crimson shade drips onto the ground, the man grunting as he holds his knee. Obviously, the others have all eyes on them now, Namjoon approaching and kneeling to question the man. The diplomat, a man horrifying when he uses his words. It's safe to say Namjoon's able to get information out of him in mere minutes, and the information is exactly what Jimin expected. Assassin, High Council, isolated case. Thanks to them being in the back, where no one goes, they're able to get that time safely. Mostly safely, anyway.

Ariel rips herself away from Jimin, his heart shattering at the sight. "Why does it matter? You aren't going to protect me, so how about I protect myself?" she says, the words feeling like she's spitting on him.

His body swells with a power he hasn't felt in years. Five, to be exact. Maybe more than that. His eyes expand when he locks eyes with her face full of fury. Of wrath. Of sorrow. Jimin sits back on the balls of his feet, his brows knitting together while he holds the knife. Ariel snatches it back, folding it and placing it in her pocket, storming away. He watches her go, his breath quickening.

She's right. Both of the she's. Y/n and Ariel.

Before he gets a chance to process his realization, Namjoon stands and knocks the man out, going back over to the others. They're quick to move out, Jimin a straggler in the back, moving much slower than the others. He's watching to make sure they don't get tailed, sure, but also so he has a moment in his thoughts. And he doesn't like a single one of them.

Namjoon and Jin guide the others to the private jet all the way at the back of the airport, almost like it has its own private section, which would make sense now that Jimin thinks about it. When they approach, the doors open to welcome the new members, Namjoon and Jin shifting their stares to the others.

"It's been fun," Namjoon says, Jin hugging the blind Tae, moving on to all the others after.

When it's Jimin's turn, they hug for a solid five seconds, Jimin patting him on the back. "I'll miss you, brother," Jimin whispers, Jin sharing the sentiment. Namjoon does the same, but they know they need to hurry before anyone else spots them. "Good luck," he says to the two.

Namjoon and Jin nod, turning on their heels. Everyone peers at Ariel expectantly. Jimin is in the same boat as the others, keeping his eyes on the young girl. When she notices him, for a moment, it looks like she wants to hug him. But that moment passes, and she goes to leave. But she doesn't. She never does.

Jimin reaches out and grabs her elbow.

It's a subtle gesture that has her halting, Jin and Namjoon peeping back at them as they near the first step. Jimin nods to them, the two understanding right away. Ariel lights up, her going over and staying by Jimin's side. It feels strangely right. Like it's natural, almost. And for once, it doesn't terrify him.

Namjoon and Jin wave their goodbyes, the group waving back. Taehyung does after getting a nudge from Hoseok, everyone a bit emotional at their departure. When the doors shut behind the dynamic duo, it feels like walls shut around Jimin as well. Two of their friends, gone. Safe. And most importantly: together. Jimin lets out a breath.

Now it's time to go home.

~~~

The drive home was rather peaceful, but Jimin's heart is still stabbing his ribcage each time it beats. For some reason, despite them having two cars, the others left Jimin alone with Ariel to drive her back. Not to mention he's the one checking for anyone tailing them as he's the most experienced with that. Luckily, no one followed them. Everything's okay. For now. Ariel's alive and with them. For now.

The hideout seems the same as it did when they left, the others are inside checking to make sure it's okay. By others, Jimin means Yoongi and Y/n. Hoseok is guarding Tae in their car while Jimin guards Ariel. They're all waiting for the couple to give the thumbs up needed to move on. When they come out two minutes later, Jimin hesitates before moving. Hoseok and Taehyung are quick to leave their cars and enter first, Jimin gripping the wheel.

Ariel's asleep in the back seat, Jimin refusing to let her sit on the passengers side. He has a bit of a stigma when it comes to the front seat. It's like there's more danger being up front than in the back. Or maybe Jimin's being overprotective again. He isn't sure, and he also isn't sure if there's a clear answer.

He moves to wake Ariel, shifting in his seat. Then, he sees her peacefully shut eyes, her head bent on the window with her hands clutching the bag of comic books. A smile graces his lips, the car shutting off. Without making any loud noises, Jimin departs the car, noticing how it's just him and Ariel out here now. Y/n may be getting concerned, so he picks up his pace, moving to the back and opening the door opposite of hers.

Jimin crawls in, undoing her seatbelt, slipping the bag of comics on his wrist, and carefully scooping the frail girl into his arms. He backs up, pulling her out of the vehicle and holding her in his arms. 

Jimin lets out a breath, tears threatening to pool out of his eyes. She would've been on that plane if he didn't change his mind. If he didn't make the decision to make sure she never left. Y/n was right, he was making a mistake. But he fixed it. Just like how he'll fix everything that's gone wrong in his life. The determination courses through his veins. So, he kicks the door shut and walks away.

When he strolls in the doors of the hideout, no one's waiting for him inside much to his surprise. Y/n must've went to bed with Yoongi already, exhausted from the day's events. He can't blame her.

Jimin carries Ariel to her room, opening the door as best he can without causing her to wake up. He's grateful when her eyes stay shut. The same smile from before keeps itself planted on his lips, Jimin moving to the bed to set her down in it. She groans a bit, shifting and snuggling into the pillows. Jimin covers her with her blankets, planting the comics on her nightstand, her lamp still glowing.

He shuts it off, making sure she's all tucked in before standing. He observes her, noticing the bags under her eyes that no kid her age should have. Jimin kneels, brushing her hair out of her face. Why was she brought into this? Ariel, with all her fire and passion. She didn't deserve it. Any of it.

Jimin attempts not to cry out of pity for the girl, him keeping her hair out of her face. Although he wants to leave, he stays in place for a few seconds, his heart beating in a way he can't begin to describe. This time he doesn't push it away. Instead, he smiles. 

Jimin leans in, kissing the girl on the forehead. The few beats he's on her skin revives every cell in his body, and this time, he knows why. When he parts from her skin, his grin lights up the entire room. "Goodnight, baby girl," he whispers, leaning back on his feet.

And after that, he leaves.