Luck was not on Jimin's side anymore—it had given up on him today. He was chosen to die in a few weeks—perhaps even a few days. That fact was already terrible enough.

But now he has to endure it all with his best friend, the one he loves, knowing that at most, only one of them would come back alive. Whatever this reality was, Jimin didn't want to be in it anymore. What was Jimin in another universe doing, and why was he the one chosen to have to suffer through this?

Hoseok makes the tributes shake hands with one another. Jimin is somehow able to look at the others' broken faces as he did. One girl—maybe fourteen—still has fresh tears on her face. Jimin feels bad for the girl. The tributes would only see her as an easy target now.

When Jimin and Jungkook's hands meet, they make direct eye contact. Jungkook mouths, 'It will be okay,' to the older, as if to assure him. But Jimin knew the truth, obviously he knew. The truth was that nothing was ever going to be okay ever again.

"Please give a round of applause to our brand new tributes!" Hoseok tries to show the group off like cattle. The square is quiet. The only thing that comes back are sad, pitiful eyes, and soft inaudible murmurs within the crowd. It was always like this, but now that there were six kids up there? It was even sadder for the district.

"Time to go to The Justice Building~" Hoseok nudges the tributes to the car that would escort them to The Justice Building—the district's main political building. That was where they would be confined like prisoners before being shipped off to The Capital to get absolutely pampered as their death slowly creeps closer and closer.

The car they would be riding in was not meant for eight people—those being the six tributes, as well as Hoseok and the driver. Hoseok lets out an exasperated sigh. It doesn't sit well with Jimin how dramatically Hoseok was acting over a minor inconvenience when he was quite literally leading six kids to their place of death.

"Come on, you can get nice and comfortable with each other, we're all friends here," Hoseok rolls his eyes when the six don't move. "Squish, sit on each other's laps even. We have places to be, ladies and gentlemen!"

"Come on, Mimmie," Jungkook whispers, his voice sullen as he pulls the older to the car. "If we're going to have to do this, we at least need to be likable." He scoots to the farthest end of the car, then proceeds to pull Jimin onto his lap, making the latter's face heat up.

"Oh my God!" Hoseok basically shrieks. "Are you two dating? Are you two in love!? Do you know how that'll be for ratings!? Do you know how many people are going to wanna support something like that!?" Jimin feels Jungkook squirm in his seat. He knew the taller gets uncomfortable whenever people ask.

"N-no, we're just friends," Jimin didn't ever like saying that, no matter how true it was. "Jungkook is my best friend."

Hoseok's ecstatic demeanor deflates like a balloon. "Oh. Shame. People are really suckers for a good love story, you know. And you two look like you could be so in love."

That statement leaves a bitter taste in Jimin's mouth. The Capital didn't care about them or their feelings. No, that would humanize them too much. Jimin had to assume they would just want to fetishize the relationship between him and Jungkook, and have it go down in history as a tragic love story. They don't care about what happens to the pair, just the story they'll get to tell when this is all over.

Jimin gives Jungkook a glance after Hoseok finished speaking, which was swiftly returned to him. Jimin sees that Jungkook's face is a light pink as well, and he guesses it's from embarrassment. After all, Jungkook wasn't even gay. Jimin would've known if he were gay.

The ride to the district building wasn't what he would call enjoyable. Of course, it was a step closer to death, so he shouldn't have expected much, but even still. He doesn't usually get to ride in cars, not this nice. He felt so trapped within the tiny space, packed like cattle on the way to the slaughterhouse. If it weren't for Jungkook, he probably would have panicked.

Jimin didn't know how Jungkook was able to do it. Even on their death march, he was able to bring just a bit of peace and safety to Jimin, by barely doing anything. He didn't like these conflicting feelings, they were too confusing. And he needs to focus.

The ride wasn't long at all, but Jimin hated it. If The Games were a thing he could survive, he didn't think he'd ever be able to ride in a car ever again. The Games would be all he would be reminded of when inside of one. It wasn't even comfortable anyways. Even on his best friend's lap, secured by his strong arms, it was bumpy, and unpleasant.

Without even a second to say goodbye, Jimin and Jungkook were yanked away from each other, quite harshly. They were brought into separate rooms away from each other. By the time the peacekeepers forced him to sit, Jimin's arm was hurting. Couldn't they be a bit nicer with the given circumstances?

Jimin knew they would come in soon. His family—coming to say their goodbyes, rooting for him half-heartedly as if they were trying to convince everyone in the room he could win. But if Jungkook dying was the only way Jimin would be allowed to live, then he couldn't. He couldn't live if Jungkook were to die. The second he heard his best friend's name, it was all over. All his survival instincts left his body. He instantly felt unmotivated by this tragic turn of events.

He just hoped Jungkook wasn't feeling the same. He hopes that these events make the younger selfish, for sake of survival. Jungkook was always an extremely selfless person. He gave up so much for those he loved. For once, Jimin just wants him to think about himself and himself only. He was not allowed to die for Jimin.

Because Jungkook had to win.

The door opens, and there was his mother. She was crying, her tears heavy, to the point where they made it hard for her to speak. "Y-you can't go," She speaks quietly, almost in a whisper. "You can't."

"Mama, I don't wanna," Jimin shakes his head, hugging his mother. His heart had sunk deep into his chest, blocking out the butterflies temporarily with immense sadness. "I don't wanna go and die. But they'll kill me anyways if I don't. You know this, you know the rules, Mama." He tries to speak calmly for her, to assure her in any way he could.

"My baby," She cries harder, and Jimin finds it difficult to keep in the tears himself. "My beautiful eldest son. Stray strong for me please."

Jimin hesitates. "...Take care after I'm gone."

"Jimin, no," She pulls away, shaking her head with a horrified look. "Jiminie Baby, don't speak like that."

"Take care of Jihyun, and Dad," Jimin's voice is soft and level. "Because I know they'll take care of you too. You'll get through this, I promise. Jungkook's family survived, they're still strong. It'll hurt, but it won't kill you. You are strong, Mom. You have always been strong. Take that strength with you through all of this."

Jimin's mother opens her mouth to say more, but the peacekeepers barge in to order her out. Jimin was slightly angry at that. Why couldn't they just give him more time? He was saying goodbye to his loved ones for the final time. This was the last they would see of each other.

But she was forced to leave, and in comes his father just seconds later. He wears a solemn expression on his face as he walks in. Jimin's heart hurt, more than it already did. He had never seen his father this full of sorrow.

"Dad..."

"Son," Mr. Park looks like he's already grieving, speaking for the first time in a while. "I know."

"...You know?" Jimin questions, confused.

"About Jungkook."

Jimin's eyes widen. "Dad-"

"It's okay, Jimin," He stops him, his voice quiet, and slightly husky. "I've known for a long time. You just look at him differently. It's not obvious to everyone, but it's always been obvious to me. I know you don't want to fight—knowing the one you love will be in there with you. But you have to try. Give it your all until you can't anymore. It'll give some closure to your mother and brother, and to me too."

"...Why aren't you trying to convince me to fight my hardest?" Jimin asks, surprised. "Why aren't you telling me to live?"

"Because I know you're stubborn," His father sighs, emotion heavy in his voice. "You won't listen to me even if I got onto my knees and begged you. If Jungkook is still alive, then you're already a dead man. But Jimin, if something happens to Jungkook, before you, will you promise me you'll try to win? If something happens and you're still alive, will you keep fighting? I know it's a difficult thing to ask, but think of your family. Your life is more than just one person"

A life without Jungkook seemed like a life worse than death. "...I don't know if I can. I don't know if I'm strong enough without Jungkook."

"Life will be difficult," Mr. Park doesn't deny it. He speaks about the subject in an extremely sensitive manner. Jimin knows his father loves Jungkook too, and that he hates these circumstances almost as much as Jimin himself does. The peacekeepers signal him to leave. He ignores. "But you have your family. Think of us, Jimin. Please try."

Jimin stays silent.

But the peacekeepers come in to take him out of the room. Jimin's father tries to fight them off, but they're much stronger than he is.

"I love you, Son!" He calls behind him as he's forced out of the space.

"I love you too, Dad..." He's barely able to get out.

"There's one more here for you," The peacekeeper guarding the room states.

Jimin couldn't even get another word out before a large body crashes into him, engulfing him before he could fall over. Jihyun was a bit muscular too. Nothing like Jungkook, but much more than Jimin. Their bodies making contact made the older stumble.

"You can't go!" Unlike Jimin's father, Jihyun is loud as he sobs. "I should have volunteered! It's what you would've done for me!"

Jimin pulls away, shaking his head back in forth quickly. "No, you absolutely shouldn't have," He replies. "I couldn't bear the thought of you being in there all alone. It's better this way. I'll have Jungkook, remember? It's...okay."

"No it's not okay! And it's not better in any way!" Jihyun sees right through his lie. "The Capital is sending you off to go kill your best friend! And they treat it like it's some fun game! How could you say it's okay, Jimin?" He sounded angry, but Jimin knew it was only because he's hurting. The tone didn't sting him a bit. "Don't ever say that, it's not okay."

"Jihyun, please," Jimin whispers. "Calm down. I know it's not okay, but you need to cooperate, or they'll hurt you. And I can't have you hurting any more than you already do. Listen to me, okay? You need to take care of Mom and Dad after I leave, because they're getting older, and you're strong and healthy-"

"Jimin, no! Shut up! You are not leaving forever," Jihyun denies. "You are coming back. You have to."

Jimin stares at him sadly. It was so much harder to say goodbye with the way he was acting. "Jihyun...I'm not coming back."

"Yes you are-"

"Jihyun, just shut up!" Jimin cries out. "Can't you see? I will not let Jungkook die while I'm still living. If he dies, a huge part of my soul dies with him. Do you think I'd be able to carry on after that? To muster enough strength to even stand without him? There'll be seventy-two of us in there—eighteen careers. The odds are stacked against me, Jihyun. I don't have a chance."

Jihyun stands there for a second, staring dumbfounded at his older brother. Then, the poor child's face crumples into immense sadness. "...I don't want this to be goodbye," His voice cracks with the realization. "I love you."

"I love you too, Jihyun, don't-"

"Time's up," The peacekeepers storm in and grab Jihyun.

"No!" Jihyun protests. They had to struggle to get him out of the room. What was this unnecessary violence for!? Jihyun was losing a brother! Jimin almost yelled for them to be gentle with him, but the door slams shut, and all he could hear afterwards were Jihyun's muffled screams.

It was at this moment that Jimin started crying. He doesn't want to leave them—his family, the ones he loves so dearly. To think this would be their last memories of each other...Melancholy words, and crying, and terrified faces.

Jimin had never felt so broken in his life.

*

Jungkook was shoved into one of the few soundproof rooms in District 10's Justice Building. Jungkook hates this place—no, he despises this place. He had only been to The Justice Building twice before—once to say goodbye to his brother, and the second time...to collect Junghyun's body, shipped to them in a clearly inexpensive wooden box, almost taunting Jungkook and his family. 'Your brother wasn't strong enough,' it said. 'This is the treatment he deserves.' Jungkook couldn't stand it.

Those who dropped Junghyun off asked Jungkook's family if they wanted to see the body. Jungkook immediately said no. He didn't want to see the state of someone he loved after death, someone who would never speak again, who would never laugh again. His parents, however, wanted to see their son one last time.

To this day, Jungkook knows his parents regret their decision. They had watched Junghyun get stabbed multiple times in the chest and abdomen. Jungkook had already seen his lifeless body on national television, he didn't need to see it again in person. When Jungkook's parents walked out of the room that held their oldest son, their faces were white. It had sent twelve-year-old Jungkook into a fresh new wave of tears.

And now, he would be there soon. In that cheap wooden box The Capital barely spent anything on, out on display for his parents to cry over once again. He didn't want to imagine himself like that, but the thoughts were intrusive.

He just hopes his parents don't look inside again.

As his eyes dart around the room—as fast as his thoughts—the click of the door alerts him. Someone was coming in. Jungkook assumes it'll be his parents. There was no one else in his life that cared about him enough to send him off. Well, except for Jimin of course.

But unexpectedly it wasn't either of his parents. Instead, Jihyun walks through the door; Jimin's younger brother. Jungkook had never been close with Jihyun. It was really hard for Jungkook to make friends, and Jihyun was just naturally more introverted, so they never had much to talk about.

He walks in with a determined look on his face, one that leaves Jungkook even more confused. Jihyun stares at him with direct eye contact.

"Jihyun...what are you doing here?" He asks. "Don't you want to see your brother?"

Jihyun doesn't take his eyes off the older. "My mom and dad are talking to him right now. I just need to say a few things to you."

"Oh...okay," Jungkook gestures for him to continue.

Jihyun grabs Jungkook's arms firmly, just below the shoulder. Jungkook was surprised by his strength—he didn't realize how drastic the difference in build was between the two siblings.

"First of all, know that I love you," Jihyun stares at him. "I've known you for years. I know I don't show it, but you're Jimin's best friend. I've always looked up to you, and I love you."

"O-okay," Jungkook stutters out of surprise. "I love you too, Jihyun."

"But you have to get him home."

"What?"

"You have to get Jimin home," The desperation in his eyes was clearly visible as he stared at Jungkook, straight in the eye. "You have to bring him back to me."

If this was about anyone else, Jungkook would have gotten offended by the plead, by someone asking him to just throw his life away for someone else. But this was Jimin they were talking about. He'd give his life six thousand times over for Jimin. "I'll try-"

"No!" Jihyun's outburst was sudden. "That's not good enough. You will bring him home, Jungkook. You have to."

"...Jihyun don't you know I would have done anything to make that happen even if you didn't come here begging?" Jungkook shrugs helplessly. "He's my best friend," 'And the one I'm in love with.' "I can't be selfish when I'm going to be in The Games with my favorite person."

"Oh my God...Thank you!" Jihyun hugs him, demeanor completely shifting, before realizing. "Oh. Oh in that case...I'm so sorry, Jungkook. In a perfect world, I wouldn't have to choose between you two...In a perfect world The Hunger Games wouldn't exist at all...but, well, thank you for understanding..."

"Like you said, Jimin is my best friend," Jungkook tries to smile, but it was difficult. "I'd do anything for him."

"...Jimin is so lucky to have you, Jungkook," Jihyun tears up. He quickly wipes them away, so it was as if they were never there at all. "God, this is the worst thing in the world."

"It is," Jungkook agrees, voice quiet.

The peacekeepers signaled it was time for Jihyun to go. "Goodbye, Jungkook," He whispers, walking out of the room.

Next came his parents. They both come in at the same time so they could get as much time with him as possible. After all, there was a very good chance this was the last time they would see Jungkook in front of them.

"Oh, my baby," His mother grabs his face in her hands, pulling him close. "This can't be happening. It was already so hard with Junghyun."

"I have to leave," Jungkook argues. "I don't want to, but I have to. I'm so sorry you have to go through this again."

"It'll be different this time," His mother is desperate. "Junghyun was too young. You'll be one of the oldest ones there. You're strong, and athletic, and brave. You could come back to us."

"I...I can't."

"Yes you can, Jungkook! I believe in you," She encourages. "Don't you see? You can-"

"It...it's not over whether I can win or not," Jungkook confesses. This was the hardest thing he had ever had to do. "I just...I don't want to win." Even admitting it to himself was difficult.

"What!?" The both yell in unison.

"It shouldn't be that hard to understand, right?" Jungkook's voice sounds broken. "Jimin's going to be there. How could I possibly want to win with Jimin there-"

"Because you have us!" His father's voice is loud. "You have your parents, who have already lost one son!"

"I know!" Jungkook sounds so helpless. "That's the reason I didn't volunteer for him! If it weren't for Junghyun, don't you know I would have? You're the entire reason I decided to keep my mouth shut—because you've already lost him. I love you guys, and I know you think you need me, but it's okay! You guys will survive even though I can't! I promise, Mom and Dad, please-"

"I get that you want to protect your best friend, Jungkook, I know that," His father tries to calm down. "But we do need you. We can't live through this nightmare again. Think about us, Jungkook."

"Dad, I am! I promise I am!" Jungkook was brought to tears. "B-but it's not that simple. I love Jimin, and I don't know if I could continue to live without him here with me..." He takes a deep breath, about to reveal something about himself that he had never told anyone. "Dad, it would be like you going into The Hunger Games with Mom. And Mom, you with Dad."

She shakes her head. "I don't understand."

A tear rolls down Jungkook's face. "Mom, Dad? I...I'm in love with Jimin. I am, I said it."

They stare at him for a few seconds in surprise, before his father mumbles a, "What?"

"Ever since I was fifteen I've felt this way," Jungkook continues. "And I-I know it's not really usual around here, for a man to love another man. B-but I do. And it's not just something I can push to the back of my conscious and move on from." It was so extremely difficult, forcing these words out of his mouth, but this was the last time he'd ever see them. He wants them to know. "It's not just a little crush, they're real feelings, and they're not going to go away. In fact they're some of the only things I can think about right now. Because I'm going into The Hunger Games with the one I'm in love with, and we can't both make it out alive. I just...how would you two feel if you had to go into The Hunger Games together? Do you really think you'd want to live in that circumstance?"

Both his parents look at each other. The love they held for each other was effortlessly translated in that single glance. Anyone could see their answer just by that look, they didn't even have to say anything.

His mother finally turns back to him, inhaling a shuddery breath. "Jungkookie, Baby...I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Having to go through this with your best friend is already bad enough. But the one you love more than anyone? You don't deserve this."

"W-wait," Jungkook stutters. "You just brushed over the fact that I said I was attracted to men...because I am only attracted to men. You aren't angry?"

"Jungkook, of course we're not angry about that. Why would we be angry?" His father takes a step closer to him, petting his hair once. "Life is too unforgiving to fester hatred—you know that better than most. We would never be angry at you for something out of your control. Especially something like loving another person."

"We just want you to be happy," Mrs. Jeon adds. "I wish you were able to tell us under better circumstances...I'm sure this is important to you."

"Of course it's important to me," Jungkook's voice breaks. He smiles a broken smile. "It's who I am."

"But we love you for exactly who you are," She looks him straight in the eye. "And we're very glad you had the opportunity to tell us."

Jungkook's lips tremble, urge to cry multiplying. He embraces both his parents, losing control and letting his eyes do as they please. "I'm going to miss you guys so much!"

"We'll miss you too, Kookie," His mother says into his chest, crying just as hard. "So so much, Baby. We need you to come home."

"I don't know if I can," He cries.

"We know," His father whispers. "Just...say that you will. Even if you're lying. Say you will."

Jungkook hesitates. "I...I will." The words taste bitter on his tongue.

"Good," Mr. Jeon exhales, even though Jungkook knows he doesn't believe him. The peacekeepers open the door. "I love you, Jungkook."

"I love you guys too," Jungkook stares at them. "It'll be hard. But Junghyun is watching over me, and you guys too. Soon I'll join him, watching over you. I'll always be here, I promise."

His parents couldn't say another word before they were ushered out.

That was it. Jungkook knew this was the last time he'd see them. His heart drops down to his stomach. It was a painful feeling.

And then Jungkook just sits there, willing his tears to go away. The room was empty, and dark and quiet...it left him alone with his thoughts. And his thoughts were loud, and scary, and mean. He didn't want to be alone anymore. Why didn't they let his parents stay with him during this time? Loneliness was terrifying.

Luckily may be the wrong word for in this context, but his wish was answered nonetheless. Within ten minutes, they grab him from the room and bring him back out to the front, where the car still was. The other tributes come out at almost the exact same time. Pretty much all of their eyes were red—even Jimin's. The only tribute who didn't look like she had just been crying was a girl Jungkook didn't know.

The second he sees Jimin, he grabs his hand and leads him to the car again. He wants to get away from this place as fast as possible. And sure, every step away from home was a step closer to his death, but he needed to get away from this horrible building of bad memories. He doesn't dare look behind him as he gets into the car with his best friend.

He knows eyes were on him as the shorter sits on his lap. But he doesn't speak. He just pulls Jimin as close to him as he can, resting his chin on his shoulder. Jimin rests his hand over Jungkook's, rubbing the back of the younger's hand with his thumb. He knew. Without a single word shared between them, Jimin knew exactly how he was feeling, and why.

And...and he knew Jimin saw this moment as friendly, nothing else...But to Jungkook, it was anything but. The way they knew each other on a level no one else did...that was special. Yes, platonic soulmates existed—Jungkook truly believed that—but the younger didn't want that. He wanted Jimin. He wanted Jimin to love him the same way he loved Jimin. And he knew it would never happen, which made him want it even more. The mind was cruel that way.

Saying goodbye to everyone, telling his parents about how he felt, now seeing Jimin once again made him even more certain than before. He had to protect this angel of his, because that's what Jimin was to him—his angel. He would protect his angel if it was—quite literally—the last thing he ever did.