Remember to vote and comment if you think Jimin in that photo is serving more face than even Face itself did, or if you think Jimin is hot. Wait, sorry, I panicked. OR if you think birds are cool.

---

Y/n

That was the most important day in her life.

Not one but two chefs were about to get eliminated. Gordon had to trim out the chefs to make five remaining for the black jackets. Sometimes it was six, other times it was five, but that season, it was five black jackets. Five. And there were seven chefs remaining.

Y/n stood with Seulgi and Yuna, staring down Gordon while Paul, Jungkook, Jimin, and Chris stood not too far away. They were in the dining room after Gordon had announced it was time for the black jacket challenge. There would be a series of challenges, and at the end of each one, Gordon would give two jackets, and the third and final challenge would give away the last jacket, sending two chefs home.

Two.

The increased number—no matter how small said increase was—had Y/n's palms sweaty, knees weak, and arms heavy.

"Take some deep breaths. You're all talented chefs. No matter what, getting this far is a major accomplishment, and all of you should be damn proud of yourselves," Gordon said, and Y/n let out a few breaths as per his instructions. "But there's no time to waste, so let's get started, yeah? For your first challenge, you're doing the iconic taste it now make it. I have a wonderful dish Chef Scott is bringing in now. You're going to taste it and recreate it. There are three layers: protein, puree, and vegetable. The two who get it the closest and also make a good dish will earn their black jackets. You will have forty minutes to taste and recreate it."

Y/n turned and saw Chef Scott's aggressively bald head. He set the platter down in the middle of the red and blue kitchens, and after he backed off, Gordon glanced at his watch and spoke again.

"Your time starts... now."

Y/n dashed off and didn't care if she knocked anyone over. The next three challenges (assuming she didn't win a jacket as soon as possible, which would be tough considering how talented the chefs were) would be the three most important in her life. If she got a black jacket, she could die happy. That would make her a Hell's Kitchen finalist, and that when combined with her overall good attitude during the show's runtime would make for a lifetime of career advancement. Being favored by Gordon Ramsay? Yeah, that was one helluva resume booster.

The dish was far from anything complicated, seeing as it had three core components Y/n had to nail. The issue was puree was hard to guess, and she took one of the countless plastic sample spoons and tasted every part of the dish. The puree was borderline impossible to guess, but for the diced vegetables, she knew it had to be rutabaga. The protein could be anything. Seeing as it was gourmet and had that kind of flavor, Y/n guessed veal.

The chefs split into their respective kitchens, some rushing back to retaste the dish, but by that point, Y/n knew she had to focus on cooking well, considering veal was a difficult protein to work with. She went with butternut squash for the puree, and after looking at the dish (however deconstructed it was by that point), she assembled her recreation as best she could to align with the original vision. And just in time since she had a minute left. She took that minute to clean her plate, ensure she had everything, taste as best she could without disrupting her presentation, and then took it up to the pass with Yuna and Seulgi.

The minute concluded, and everyone was ready to present. Gordon stood in the middle, his pencil tucked behind his ear, and he motioned to the blue team.

"Let's start with the protein. Blue team, what proteins did you use?"

Jimin answered first. "Venison, chef."

"Me too," Jungkook said, and Y/n's confidence dwindled.

"Me three," Paul said.

Chris avoided eye contact with Gordon. "I used veal, chef."

Well, at least Chris was on Y/n's side.

Gordon turned to the red team. "And the ladies?"

"Also veal, chef," Y/n said, but her teammates disagreed and also chose venison. So either Chris and Y/n were guaranteed winning, or Y/n and Chris fucked up.

It was safe to say they fucked up.

"The correct protein was venison. Y/n, Chris, you are eliminated from this round unless you get both next ingredients correct and the others don't."

Welp, that would take a Christmas miracle.

"How about the puree? What did you choose? Blue team?"

"Carrot, chef," Jimin said, and Jungkook scrunched up his nose.

"Butternut squash, you buffoon."

Ha. Y/n definitely lost, but it was worth it to hear Jungkook call Jimin a buffoon.

"I also used butternut squash," Chris said, and Paul, Y/n, and Yuna agreed. Seulgi, though, went with carrot with Jimin.

"Seulgi, Jimin, congratulations, you both got it correct."

Damn.

"Finally, the vegetables. What did you choose?"

"Rutabaga, chef," Jimin said, and Y/n had confidence. If she guessed the same as Jimin, the odds were she got it. And, much to her surprise, everyone selected rutabaga, which made her feel less special, but oh well.

"You all got rutabaga as the vegetables," Gordon said, sliding Jimin and Seulgi's plates forward. "You two guessed the most correct, but let's see if you cooked it well, otherwise we look to the others."

Gordon dug into Jimin's portion first, and he bounced on his feet as he did so. "Mm. Very well-prepared. Nicely seasoned, perfectly cooked, and the presentation is spot on. Congratulations, young man: you are the first black jacket."

"Fuck yeah!"

Jimin jumped around, and both teams clapped for him. Seeing his bright smile and hearing his giggles were enough to satisfy Y/n. Even if she didn't get the jacket, she got to see Jimin's pure joy. They were equally important to her.

"Thank you, chef," Jimin said once he calmed himself. Chef Scott came forward with a jacket, and Gordon took it and handed it off to Jimin.

"Go to the black jacket lounge and put on your new jacket."

"You don't have to tell me twice." Jimin cradled it like it was his child and skipped off, but before leaving, he peeked his head out from the corner and made eye contact with Y/n. "I better see you in there." Jimin paused to clear his throat. "I mean, I want all of you to come, but, y'know..."

"We get it," Seulgi said, faking a gag. "You two are in love. Go away."

"Oh, shit," Gordon said with a laugh. "You two...?"

Seulgi actually gagged that time. "I caught them sucking face the other night."

"Ew," Jungkook said with an eye roll. "Couples."

Y/n tried her best not to faint. "You know what, why don't we get back to cooking now?"

Jimin smirked and dashed off, and Gordon agreed with Y/n's sentiment... but only after calling her a lovesick puppy. Gordon then tasted Seulgi's dish, and the same praises were received.

"Congratulations, Seulgi. You are today's second black jacket."

Seulgi smiled, and it was the happiest Y/n had ever seen her. She didn't pull a Jimin and skip around, but she shook Gordon's hand and thanked him before taking her jacket, waving to Yuna and Y/n, ignoring the men, and leaving.

"We have two more challenges to get through, and three more jackets to give out. Let's get started. No time to waste."

Then, the next challenge commenced, and it was the dome challenge, where they had to create a dish with the ingredients under the domes they received. Y/n received quail, eggplant, baby leaks, and cauliflower. Although a difficult combination, she went with a char grilled quail with a creamy rice cauliflower, eggplant, and leak to give some garnish to it. When time was up, Y/n went first, and Gordon stared at the plate with his brows knitted.

"It looks... gloopy." Gordon tasted it, and then, he shrugged. "Presentation needs work, but it tastes well-seasoned and much better than it looks. Back in line."

Y/n thanked him and returned to Yuna's side. They were the final two on the red team, and Yuna got to go next. She had been stuck with duck, asparagus, tomatoes, and carrots. Yikes. It was safe to say she didn't do too well.

Unfortunately, Jungkook nailed his dish and earned a black jacket. Well, not unfortunately. Y/n wanted Jungkook onboard still, but she wanted a jacket, too. If she had to wait until the final round, she would shit herself.

But, alas, the final round was meant for her, seeing as Paul's dish was merely okay, but Chris' was fantastic. Gordon had never given a black jacket so fast in his life.

Y/n hung her head as soon as Chris was out of eyesight. Sweat continued to pile up and up on her head and neck. Her vision felt blurred, and her ears rang even as Gordon explained they'd have thirty minutes to make any dish of their choice as a final try to win Gordon over. The next dish she had to cook had to be the best one she had ever made in her life. She wanted to make something classic that would also make her stand out. It was her last chance.

She couldn't waste it.

Y/n rushed back into the kitchen with her ears refusing to pick up on any other sounds. Yuna asked her if she was okay, but Y/n couldn't answer for two reasons. One, it was the most important dish of her life. Two, if she won, Yuna would go home. Yuna. Y/n adored Yuna with all her heart. It was like Yuna was her friend, despite them forming said friendship in the competition. Y/n couldn't think straight knowing that. Yuna deserved a black jacket, too. So did Paul. All of them did.

But that was the nature of competition, wasn't it?

Y/n had to take a pacing break to calm her shaking hands and wipe off her sweat. Her throat burned from the lack of water, and her head felt like it was about to fall off. But she got right back in the kitchen and continued. She finished a tad early to focus on presentation, and she made it look as beautiful as she could.

The time tick tick ticked away, and despite finishing a tad early, she barely got over to the pass on time thanks to her zoning out and letting the headache overpower her for a few minutes there. She made it, though. That was what mattered.

"Y/n, you okay?" Gordon asked when all three remaining chefs were ready for serving.

"Nervous, chef." That was the best answer she could muster. Her voice cracked anyway.

"I understand. Please, bring me your dish and describe it to me."

Y/n took a deep breath, got a shoulder rub from Yuna, and focused all her attention on carrying the plate across the room. Dropping it would destroy her. It'd be the worst mistake of her life. She counted her movements and went heel-toe with every step. She made it and placed the dish across from Ramsay, backing off to avoid any sweat from falling off her face and onto the meal.

"Chef, today I made you a classic surf and turf with a filet and lobster tail and claw. For garnish, I made sauteed broccoli rabe and Yukon gold mashed potatoes."

"Presentation-wise, much better than your last dish."

Gordon adjusted the plate so everyone could see, and Y/n let out yet another breath and thanked him. It did look good; the filet was juicy, and the lobster on top made it look like the filet had a bow. The mashed potato bed underneath it, topped with the sauteed broccoli, gave it a splash of color to balance it out without overpowering the protein. It was a small detail, but she gave it a square plate since she had many round objects there, so the square made it stand out more, which Gordon appreciated.

"As for the taste..."

Gordon cut into both proteins and took a bite, then going for the garnish. He held up the lobster after he was done. "That lobster is delicious. It's so soft."

"Thank you, chef." Y/n wanted to relax, but she couldn't. Not until she knew the rest of the dish was amazing and she had a black jacket.

Gordon showed the filet, too. "A perfect mid rare. I cut through it like butter. Everything is delicious. This might be one of your best dishes yet."

It was a "safe" dish (though Y/n wasn't sure she considered cooking two tough proteins "safe"), but when her life on Hell's Kitchen was on the line, she didn't care. Anything to keep her in the game.

"Thank you, chef."

Gordon nodded and pushed the plate back toward her. "It's a very strong effort. Back in line."

Y/n returned and was grateful she at least made something good. Whether she won or not, at least she had that. She could go home saying she made something delicious. But that was just it.

Go home.

The thought hadn't crossed her mind much since she had been performing well. Even that one time on the chopping block hadn't awakened her to the reality of leaving. The reality faced her in that moment, and she wanted nothing more than to barf and faint from the pressure forming on her temple.

"Yuna. You next."

Y/n smiled at Yuna. "You got this."

Yuna returned it. "So do you."

Yuna went to Gordon with her pork chop dish. Another classic, though she spiced it up with soy marinade and coconut poached shrimp. It was a creative dish that Gordon enjoyed. All it needed was more lemon to balance it out, but it was otherwise a solid dish. When Yuna returned, Y/n hugged the girl, and Yuna embraced her back.

"No matter what happens, just know I'm glad I met you," Y/n whispered, and Yuna nodded.

"Me too, Y/n."

They paid attention as Paul went up with his tenderloin dish. Once again, a great dish. By that point in the competition, all of them were expected to have amazing dishes, so that wasn't a shocker.

"Right. It's time for elimination. I'll send one home first, and then give away the black jacket." Gordon scanned between the three of them and sighed. "This is tough. Very, very tough. The first person I am eliminating today is..."

He trailed off for dramatic effect, and the camera crew ate up every second of it. Y/n had been so locked in she hadn't even noticed the crew. They tended to fall into the background in favor of focusing on cooking.

"Paul. Give me your jacket."

Y/n didn't know if she should be sad or cheer. She was still in it. That didn't mean she had a black jacket yet, but she was in the competition, and that was what mattered.

Paul handed over his jacket and shook Gordon's hand.

"You've been a fierce competitor. Keep your chin up, okay? Now go on home, big boy."

Paul thanked him and waved to the girls, saying a quick "Good luck," and after the remaining two waved back, Paul left through the front doors. But it wasn't over yet. Yuna and Y/n had to pray for their lives.

Y/n held Yuna's hand and huddled up with her, and Gordon stared at them with a soft smile and chuckle.

"Friends?"

Yuna and Y/n nodded.

"Well, I hate to separate you, but we do have one last black jacket to give." Gordon held the last folded jacket in his grasp and let out a sharp breath. "This is one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make, so imagine how the finale will go."

Y/n couldn't imagine. Y/n did not envy Gordon for having to make that decision. Though she hoped it'd end up being her. A six figure salary could change anyone's life.

"The person who will be receiving the final black jacket is..."

Again with those dramatic trail offs. Y/n couldn't handle it. Her eyes were wide, her hands numb from clinging to Yuna, and her sweat unbearable. But then, Gordon spoke, and it was like the headache disappeared as soon as he did.

"Y/n."

Y/n yelped and didn't know whether to cry or start screaming like a high schooler after making eye contact with their crush for 0.5 seconds. But the first thing she did was hug Yuna, and she had to admit the tears flowed on their own. She trembled and rocked Yuna back and forth.

"You earned it, Y/n," Yuna said, and Y/n sniffled.

"Thank you. I hope you know you did, too."

Y/n backed off, squeezed Yuna's shoulders, and went to Gordon to take the jacket.

"Congratulations, young lady. You've earned it. Now go to the lounge. I'm sure your husband will be thrilled."

Y/n laughed, but it sounded more like a cough. Even though she had to go, she went over to Yuna one last time, and Yuna had tears streaming down her face, but she smiled nonetheless.

"I'll be okay, Y/n. Being here at all was an honor. Thank you for being my friend."

Y/n squeezed Yuna's shoulder. "Thank you for being mine.

Y/n lingered for longer than she should have before she walked off and left the kitchen, going down the hall and being directed by crew to where the black jacket lounge was. She found it, and her hand shook as she opened the door. Right away, cheers overwhelmed her eardrums, and she barely had time to realize how beautiful the small lounge was before arms were around her.

Of course, they were Jimin's.

Jimin lifted her and spun her around, and she yelped (again) and laughed at his antics. He set her down but almost knocked her over from the force of the embrace.

"I almost pissed myself!" Jimin said over the cheers of Seulgi, Jungkook, and Chris. "Don't ever do that to me again!"

"Oh, you almost pissed yourself? You? How do you think I felt?" Y/n pulled back and gave him a small nudge. "But I'm here now. Even though Yuna..." Y/n sighed, and Jimin hugged her again.

"It's okay. She'll be okay," Jimin said, and surprisingly, Seulgi agreed with that.

"She's a fighter. Don't let that overshadow your win. She's going to do well in life, so let's keep our chins up and drink our asses off. Sound good?"

Y/n wiped her eyes and pulled away from Jimin again, staying close to him before turning to the others. Jungkook was sprawled out across the white sofa with an entire bottle of champagne in his hands. He drank it straight from the bottle while Seulgi had a glass. There was an entire table dedicated to champagne, and Y/n had a feeling they'd need it. That had her grinning.

"Let's party."

---

Remember to vote and comment if you think this Y/n and Jimin should go nomnomnom again, or if you think zebras are cute.