The first two days of training unfortunately flew right by. Today though, on the third day, the tributes wouldn't be training all at once like they had the days prior. Instead, they would be waiting their turn to have the game makers analyze their skill.

Yesterday wasn't as bad as the day before. Jimin was left by himself to practice throwing knives. He visited many stations, taking in all the information that he could. At night he and Jungkook talked over what they learned, taking paper and writing it all down, studying it until they were tired enough to pass out from exhaustion.

Caspian didn't approach him at all that day, neither did Namjoon. But...but he knew they watched him. He'd turn around, and see their eyes on him—Caspian more than any of them. There was no hate or malice in Taehyung or Namjoon's eyes, they just observed him. But Caspian's gaze? It was terrifying.

He looked at Jimin like he was a bug. Worthless, small, taking up space. When they made eye contact he'd always smirk, as if he had already killed him. Jimin knew Caspian believed he was going to win The Games—he may have targeted Jimin, but he looked at other tributes the same way. But Caspian wasn't going to win. Jimin didn't try so hard to learn new skills, all that information so Caspian could win The Hunger Games.

At the end of the day though...he was proud of himself. Often times in life he had Jungkook by his side. Just standing there, Jungkook was unintentionally intimidating. And yes, obviously he was a sweetheart, but no one really knew that based off of his looks. He was shy, and only loud if he was truly angry.

But Jimin didn't need him, he realized, to bring fear to the other tributes. Yes, he didn't want to go a second without him in the actual games, but watching other tributes' heads dart away when he looked in their direction made him feel more confident in himself. Most of them weren't actively going to target him...they saw him as too much of a threat.

And he didn't want to seem threatening, in most circumstances. But right now he was more than willing to let their opinions of him to be along those lines. The less people they encounter, the better. Let them get killed where he doesn't have to see. That would be better for everyone.

At the end of the day, as they congregated back to the middle of the training area, before Jimin could even find Jungkook, Taehyung brushed past him. "Good luck," Jimin swore he heard him murmur, voice deep and smooth, no malice hidden between the words. Jimin whipped around to see the dark-haired boy. They made eye contact, Taehyung's stare intense.

Jungkook pulled Jimin away the second he could get to him, reminding Jimin to not listen to anything any of those careers said.

But Taehyung had said 'Good luck.'

Jimin and Jungkook continued to sleep in the same room, in the same bed. Every night they fell asleep on opposite sides of the king size bed.

And yet every morning they woke up in each other's arms.

Jimin didn't know how it happened, but he loved it. He enjoyed waking up to the warmth of the younger. Sure, it was a bit embarrassing to hear Hoseok swoon each morning, continuously talking about how cute they were, but Jimin chose to look past that. When he thinks about the mornings, when he was sad and anxious about The Games, what he remembered was not Hoseok's comments...

But how the younger's breath tickled his neck as he curled into the older.

Today they wouldn't go down to the training center first thing in the morning. District 10 wouldn't have their turn for a while. While they waited, they would prepare for the interview that night. It would be an extremely busy, extremely stressful day—more than the last two even.

"Now, I hate to say it, but some of you are lost causes when it comes to skill," Yoongi had said earlier to the tributes of District 10. "So Hoseok and I will train you all individually for the interview. We can bring out aspects of your personality that people will like, so they will sponsor you. And if we can't...well, you're practically dead already. So I want you all to try. If you don't try, then I'm not helping you in The Games, I can't afford that. I won't put effort into someone who isn't giving their all."

Yoongi was good at turning intimidation into motivation. That was how Jimin saw it, anyways. His words made Jimin more determined. He wanted to do his best so they got sponsored. And...and he knows that he and Jungkook were popular as a team, but that wasn't enough. If he didn't try his hardest, then what was the point? If he didn't try his best, then Jungkook could die. Anything less than Jimin's full effort wasn't an option, and Yoongi's words only solidified the sentiment.

"I'm going to start with the ladies, because Yoongi wanted to start with the boys," Hoseok had smiled. "Girls, come with me please~"

And now...Jimin was sitting alone, doing nothing as Jungkook went in for his mini training. The other boy was there too, but he didn't seem to want to make small talk. He seemed to be mentally preparing himself for the one-on-one time with Yoongi, and so Jimin left him alone. Right now, the twiddling of his thumbs was the most interesting thing in the room.

It seemed like an eternity before the younger appeared. He sends the other tribute away, who walked off in the direction Jungkook came from, shaking. Jungkook fills the boy's seat, right next to Jimin, looking over at him.

"So..." Jimin sucks in a breath. "Was it scary?"

"A little bit," Jungkook cocks his head to the side. They speak quietly—that was all they had the energy for. "But maybe that was because I was alone in a room with a man who has murdered others before."

"Don't joke," Jimin sees right through him, eyes warming slightly.

"Okay fine, I won't. It was fine, I wasn't scared," Jungkook says truthfully. "Yoongi is kind to me. He's kind in general, don't you think? You can see it too, right?"

"Yeah," Jimin nods, because he was really happy Jungkook had made progress. "He actually seems like he wants to help us. He's no softy, but it must be painful getting to know people only to watch them die. I get why he doesn't want to get close to us."

"Yeah, I know," Jungkook nods. "But I'm really glad he's putting in the effort. I felt like the talk I had with him was helpful."

"Oh yeah?" Jimin stares at him. "What did you two talk about?"

"Ah, that's confidential," Jungkook huffs out a breathy laugh, even though nothing about that sentence was amusing.

"What?" Jimin narrows his eyes. "Why?"

"It's a secret," Jungkook only says.

"No it's not," Jimin deadpans.

"Well, maybe what we talked about was a secret," Jungkook points his nose into the air a bit. "No but really, it was just boring tips, Mimmie. Useful tips, but still boring tips that he'll probably share with you. I wouldn't lie to you, I promise."

"Okay, fine," Jimin gives in. There was no further reason to question him.

From there, the two engage in small talk. It wasn't difficult, even with the lack of things to talk about from the last two days. But soon the other tribute comes out, and Jimin's turn to go in with Yoongi was up. And so Jimin says goodbye to the taller, before walking to the room his mentor was in.

The door opens smoothly, just like everything else in The Capital. Jimin doesn't even have to close it himself—it does it on its own, melting into the wall.

The only sound in the room was the clinking of the ice in Yoongi's glass as he put it down onto the table. The bottle next to the lowball glass looked pretty expensive, but that was what you earned when you won The Games. Yoongi gets all the luxuries he wants for the rest of his life. He had the means to live more than comfortably for as long as he was alive.

"Don't be shy, Kid. I know you aren't," Yoongi calls him out. "Come, sit. Let's chat."

"I'm no more of a kid than you are," Jimin remarks quietly, doing as told. "You're what...three years older than me?"

"See, there he is, the Jimin I really admire," Yoongi cracks a smile. "Are you like that with your little boyfriend? Speaking your mind 100% of the time?"

"We're not-"

"Yeah, I know," The older interrupts. "As you've said a billion times to everyone. Sorry to be a part of the annoyance, but I couldn't help myself. The bunny-looking kid already cleared that up during our talk anyways."

"Bunny-looking?" Jimin repeats, suddenly having to fight a smile. "You think so too?"

"Lots of people think so," Yoongi shrugs. "It's one of his qualities, one I'm sure Hobi will bring up later." Jimin doesn't think Yoongi noticed the slip up, calling Hoseok by his nickname, but Jimin definitely did. "We're not here to talk about Jungkook though. We're here to talk about trying to make sure you don't die."

"Until it comes between me and Jungkook, yeah," Jimin sighs. "I'll survive as long as I can, but when it comes between Jungkook and I? Jungkook needs to win. I'm here for him."

"Fine, that's more than I can say for that other boy, shaking in his boots," Yoongi shakes his head. "Poor guy. If I'm being honest, I hope he dies in the bloodbath. It'll be a quick death."

"Yeah, but you probably told him you wanted to make sure he didn't die too," Jimin points out. "You're probably saying that to everyone. How do I know you're not lying to me? How do I know you're trying your best to help me?"

Yoongi sighs. "Listen here, Kid, I'll be completely honest. There's no chance all six of you are going to make it, that's obvious. No one likes it, I don't like it, but that's how it is. That's why I have to pick and choose. I'll give tips to everyone, to help them survive and get maybe sponsors, but every year I have to pick. This year you and your little boy toy are my best bet. And that's a promise."

"Don't call him boy toy," Jimin's eyebrows furrow. "Just call him Jungkook. Is it really that difficult? He's a person, not a thing, and apparently you wanna save him. So treat him like a person."

"See, I love that!" Yoongi praises. "Your spirit is amazing! That's what you need in the interview!"

"It's not 'my spirit,' you're just provoking me."

"Because provoking you is how I see the real you," Yoongi presses.

Jimin fights the urge to roll his eyes. "The real me? The angry side of me? How is making me angry helpful in any way?"

"Will you just listen to what I have to say for a minute?" Yoongi huffs out a laugh. "It's your looks that pull people in at first, sure. But no one cares who the prettiest tribute is in a competition about killing one another. They want to feel connected to you, Jimin. It's your personality that counts in the end. And I'm here to help you bring that out. I want to show those snobby assholes a personality that is unique to you. We can play with you from a lot of angles. Cute, sassy, whatever."

Jimin is silent. Because he has a point.

"Some people see you and think you and Jungkook are the most adorable pair," Yoongi continues. "That's fine. But people like me? We like your sassier, or, dare I say ruder side of you, I guess."

"I'm not a rude person," Jimin bites.

"I didn't say that," Yoongi points out. "You're a good person from what I've been able to put together. Everyone loves you, Jimin. Don't put words into my mouth. What I'm saying is these stupid Capitalites love a character. The more traits you have to play off of, the more interested they are into you."

"Oh..." Jimin calms down.

"Either way, whatever you choose, cute, sassy, or something else completely, I have no doubt people will love you," Yoongi takes another sip of whiskey. "You have this charisma, and charm. People are drawn to you. When I tell you that you could probably make the most homophobic man question his sexuality, even if it's for half a second, I hope you believe me."

"Oh, uh...I guess I will," What did he have to lose? With how long he had left to live, he may as well take Yoongi's word. "But...making the most homophobic man gay. Why would I want that?"

"I didn't say you wanted to, just that you could," Yoongi shrugs.

"Is it because I'm gay?" Jimin gives him a look.

"No, Kid you're reading way too much into this," Yoongi returns it. "I just meant you were charming. I didn't even know you were gay—you didn't tell me anything."

"I don't really volunteer the information..." Jimin trails. "I told you because you don't seem the type to tell secrets. So you can't tell anyone. It's not like I'm hiding it or anything but...you know, not everyone knows."

"Jungkook doesn't know?" Yoongi guesses.

"Nope," Jimin frowns. "I just haven't found the right time. My father knew, but I hadn't told any of my other family either...I thought I had more time."

"Well, it's not like I need to tell anyone anyways, everyone thinks you're dating Jungkook as it is," Yoongi points out. "It seems like everyone knows except for your boyfriend."

"Don't call him that!" Jimin presses. "Just Jungkook. Nothing else. Just Jungkook."

"Fine," Yoongi shoots him a small glare. "So long as you stop arguing with me."

"You're so easy to argue with," Despite that, Jimin found himself really liking Yoongi in these moments.

"You're the only one I've argued with all day, so I doubt it," Yoongi gives him a look. "Now, shut up and listen, unless you want to die before you can send Jungkook home."

Oh he was good. He knew exactly what made Jimin's fighting instinct kick in. And so he does what Yoongi says. He shuts up. He has to do this, no matter how annoying he finds Yoongi, no matter how much their personalities sometimes clash.

He feels like this'll be a long session, but oh well. He'll get through it, it won't kill him. In fact, it'll help him survive.

*

Jungkook opens the door of his room to find a waiting Jimin.

"Hoseok was going to get you, but I volunteered," Jimin says as they make eye contact. "We're all done. Hoseok's said what he needed to all of us. It's time to go to the training center."

"Well thank you for saving me from Hoseok," Jungkook tries to joke. "There's only so much of that man I can take."

Jungkook's meetings with both Yoongi and Hoseok were beneficial. Yoongi called him and Jimin a couple, Hoseok tried to convince him to pretend they were in a couple, but besides that, it was good. He'd rather not talk about it with Jimin, because if he were being honest, too much of it was about the two of them. But he'd use everything beneficial he had learned to to help the both of them. They weren't a couple, but he'd still use their friendship to their advantage. He hopes Jimin will too.

"I know, he's not very self-aware, but they don't teach you to be here," Jimin shrugs. "They teach table manners, not social skills."

"Yeah," Jungkook agrees. He looks at the smaller. "Oh, you combed your hair." He reaches to touch it.

"No!" Jimin bats his hand away, speaking in a quiet whine. "I made it all nice, don't ruin it."

"Why'd you comb your hair, Mimmie?" Jungkook can't help but stare at him warmly. He thought Jimin's effort was cute. "It's an assessment, not an interview. That's later."

"I know that," Jimin pouts. "I wanted to make a good impression."

"You absolutely will make a good impression," Jungkook assures. "Have you ever met one person that hated you? It's not based off of you as a person anyways, they're rating you based off of skills."

"The Hunger Games is for entertainment," Jimin argues. "They're going to score us on how entertaining we are too. Sure, the interviews are for personality, but they still have to be paying attention to how we are as people, right?"

"Oh, yeah," Jungkook nods. "That makes total sense. But..." He ruffles Jimin's hair before his best friend has a chance to protest. "You look better with messy hair. I'll help you fix it."

"I spent time on that you know," Jimin complains lightly as Jungkook plays with his hair. He's gentle with it, trying to make it perfect.

"The Capital has really nice hair products," Jungkook notes. "Your hair is really soft."

"Yeah?" He asks, looking up.

"Yeah," Jungkook pets his hair, tracing his finger behind his ear. He gets a bit lost in his eyes. They were big and beautiful as they stared back at him. Jimin's eyes tended to go a bit wider when staring at things he loved. Jungkook was glad he saw those beautiful eyes when they made eye contact. Either that, or his crescents when he smiled.

Jungkook misses those crescent eyes.

"Are you done?" Jimin's voice is barely even a whisper. They were standing close.

"Yeah, I am," Jungkook puts his hands down. "You look amazing."

"Thank you, Koo," Jimin wraps his arms around him. Jungkook hugs back, savoring it. He leans into him, closing his eyes.

"Of course," Jungkook mumbles, inhaling. Jimin smells like everything the older loves. It made Jungkook happy for a few seconds, able to forget all that was going on.

But that was short lived. Of course.

"Stop! I am about to cry!" The familiar voice of Hoseok rings through Jungkook's ears. Jimin pulls away from him, looking down. Jungkook instead, looks right at Jimin, face pink. They...they got lost in one another. That embarrassed him...it seems to be happening more these days. Jimin was going to find out how Jungkook feels before he had the chance to say it. "You guys are too cute! But also late. I sent Jimin to come get you, Jungkook. I should've known you'd go off canoodling instead."

"We weren't...doing whatever it was you said," Jimin defends.

"You two were snuggled up together in a cute little hug," Hoseok shrugs with a smile. "That's canoodling in my book."

Jungkook frowns. Capitalite slang was so weird.

"Now let's go," He gestures. "You two need to join us so we can go down to the training center."

Hoseok turns around, so the two follow him. The other tributes don't look very happy with them when they show up. They never look happy, obviously, but Jungkook wished those sad, annoyed, miserable looks weren't always directed at the two of them.

They get into the elevator as quick as the opening doors would allow it. This time, Jungkook makes the conscious decision to get in last. They ride down as smoothly as usual, Jungkook still holding onto the bar with one hand, white knuckles.

When the door opened, District 9 was waiting for them.

"Yoongi," The mentor of District 9 greets. He stands taller than the previous District 10 victor. "How are your tributes this year? You've got a couple popular ones I've heard."

"I do, Seonghwa. Hopefully luck pulls through this year," Yoongi nods. "I'd like to win, but don't we all?"

"Yeah, the more tributes you have the better chance one of them will be worth something," Seonghwa notes. He was soft spoken, but confident, Jungkook noticed. Charming too. Jungkook didn't know much about him, but he was sure that sponsors were definitely a contributing factor of him winning The Hunger Games two years ago. "But it also means more people after them. How confident are you that any of your tributes—even the popular ones—have even the slightest chance of winning?"

"Calm down, you're sounding like a Capitalite," Yoongi scowls. "We all want our tributes to win, but all these kids are people, first and foremost. You live a life of luxury now, but don't forget your roots. We were all in the arena at some point too."

"You're right, I apologize," Seonghwa makes eye contact with each of the six District 10 tributes, pausing at Jimin and Jungkook for just a second more. "I guess I'm just a bit jealous your district is so popular with the people this year. It makes me fear for my own tributes. I don't know how long any of them will last."

The District 9 tributes behind him all stare at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. Jungkook could sympathize with them. If Yoongi went out and said a different district was much better off, he'd be terrified too. Seonghwa doesn't have enough faith in them.

"I can only hope they do well in interviews so they get a bit of support from the people of this fine Capital." The last bit was sarcastic—at his roots he was just a district kid, after all.

"Well, good luck then," Yoongi looks at all the District 9 tributes as well. They really didn't look much different from the six tributes from District 10. Scared, skinny, sad. A few had a bit of muscle hanging onto their bones, but Jungkook was probably the most built out of the twelve of them. "Let's hope our own tributes score well."

"The same to you," Seonghwa nods his head. "If things were simpler, I would even root for your tributes, but we both know it's foolish to root for a district in the double digits. And I have to at least see all of my own tributes through."

"Maybe your escort will do good in shaping them up. No one knows in The Games, after all," Yoongi shrugs.

"I guess you're right," Seonghwa tips his head to the side. "Wooyoung is quite the perky optimist."

"Aren't they all?" Yoongi sighs, glancing at Hoseok, who had already sat down at a table at the far side of the room with District 9's escort. Jungkook sees the Capitalite called Wooyoung make eye contact with Jimin. And by the looks of it, Jungkook's best friend had made a new fan. He stared at him like a puppy, before loudly commenting about how much he liked the 'short brunette boy.' Then they both burst out laughing. The two of them had loud laughs that echoed through the large room.

"Well, we should get going to prepare for the interview tonight," Seonghwa addresses Yoongi one last time. "Wooyoung needs to go give them more tips. God knows they need them." He gestures for his escort to come with them. "Once again, good luck. By the looks of it, two of your tributes won't need it for a while. But to those who won't get pampered by The Capital, you'll need all the luck you can get your hands on."

He seemed like such a mild-mannered guy, but it was his stare that made him just an extra bit more intimidating. While he lacked authority in his voice, his demeanor commanded attention.

"Yes, and we need to get to the assessment," Yoongi agrees. "Let's go kids—or, the people 'like three years younger than me,' like Jimin so kindly reminded me." As Yoongi and Seonghwa pass each other, the shorter whispers, "He's a sassy one."

"I'm not sassy!" Jimin glares. There must have been a conversation Jungkook had missed, probably during their session together. "You just happen to make me angry."

"You are a bit sassy," Jungkook remarks. "But I don't mind it."

"Jungkook," Jimin whines. "You're not helping me at all."

"He's cute," Seonghwa chuckles. "I'm still not supporting any of your tributes, but I'll make sure to watch out for his interview."

"Jungkook's too," Yoongi adds. "Both of them are worth while."

"Will do," And with another short goodbye, District 9 boards the elevator, and District 10 are led to the waiting area.

"Alright," Yoongi turns around to look at them all. "You will be called one by one to show off your skills. Anything is fair game, you can show off whatever you want. You can even sit there and cry if you'd like. But, if you don't want a low score and subsequently be targeted as a weak, I suggest you do something."

The girls go first, so naturally, Jimin and Jungkook were together again. "So, what did Hoseok teach you?"

Jimin gives him a look. "Oh, so you can withhold information from me, but expect me to spill all my secrets? I don't think so, Koo."

"Are you still angry about that?" Jungkook furrows his eyebrows.

"Not angry, just doing what's fair," Jimin doesn't make eye contact as he speaks. "If you're going to hide things from me, I get to hide things from you. We all have our secrets, right?"

"I'm sorry, Mimmie," Jungkook's heart skips a beat at the last part. If only he knew the secrets he was keeping from him. "I'll let you keep your secrets for now. You really are sassy, huh?"

"Rude," Jimin pouts. Jungkook could barely resist that face. "I don't know why Yoongi would call me such a thing. I do like Yoongi. I don't know why, but I do. But he loves to provoke me. He knows what to do to get me motivated, even if it makes me angry."

"That's good," Jungkook nods, looking at him. "Stay motivated. We need all the motivation we can get."

"I know, I just wish he didn't make me feel so annoyed," Jimin sighs. "I want to try to stay however close to happy I can be as much as possible. Yoongi doesn't help much with that."

"Then don't hang out with Yoongi, spend time with me," Jungkook rubs his back. Jimin leans into his touch. "I'm here to make you happy. I'm here for you always."

...But he was lying, wasn't he? For all he knew his life was ending tomorrow, and Jimin wouldn't have him anymore.

No! He couldn't think about that. He knows Jimin won't fight for himself if Jungkook wasn't there...he knows Jimin needs him to have motivation to win. And so he was going to survive until the very end, until he couldn't anymore. He was determined to survive until Jimin made it to the end. And then...well, then he'd do what he needed to for Jimin to win.

"You've said," Jimin's voice is quiet as he stares at the taller's face. Then he moves to rest his head on Jungkook's shoulder. It had gotten to the point that Jimin didn't seem to care what other people thought anymore. He wants them to be close. And Jungkook wants that too, so he leans in to the touch, resting his head on top of Jimin's.

"Yoongi didn't say anything bad to you, did he?" Jungkook says after a second, not wanting the conversation to die off.

"No, not at all," Jimin shakes his head, not moving it from the younger's shoulder. "I still like him enough, remember. If he did say anything bad, I would tell you, I promise. Nothing said to me has been as bad as what Caspian said. He was the worst, but Yoongi is here to help us."

"Yeah, I know. Yoongi is a good mentor," Jungkook agrees. "His advice will help, I think."

Jimin once again nods. "It should. He did win The Games after all."

The two continue talking in small voices, until finally they hear a, "Jungkook Jeon."

The pair sit up, and Jungkook gets out of his seat, walking towards the door.

"Mimmie, you're coming back to my room after with me, right?" He checks.

Jimin nods. "But we're just going to go back together, aren't we?"

"Yeah," Jungkook does the same. "I was just checking."

With that, he follows the man who called his name, though he already knew where he was going. He had spent about sixteen hours there over the past two days. He hadn't picked up an axe since the day he got reaped, but that was under his mentor's orders. Despite being intimidated by the man, Yoongi had survived The Hunger Games, and he had done it using the skills he had. Listening to him was the smartest thing he could do.

Nervousness hits him like a bullet to the chest once he walks into the room. The game makers were looking down on him, both metaphorically and literally. They were on a platform overlooking the training area. There was a large table, with food and wine for their consumption. It was as if because of their status, they believed they should keep a distance from the children of the Districts. They wanted to feel more powerful.

Well, that was pathetic, Jungkook realizes. They were flaunting their power over helpless, terrified children. How out of touch was The Capital exactly?

"You are?" Jungkook hears a voice. He looks up to realize they were all looking at him.

"Oh," Butterflies claw at his stomach like they had talons. "I'm Jungkook. Jungkook Jeon."

The man that first spoke to him, in a tired, slightly intoxicated voice drawls, "Oh, you're the popular boy. I see. Well then, let's hurry it up, Jungkook Jeon. We don't have all day."

"O-okay," Jungkook listens, slightly intimidated by their prowess. But nonetheless he walks to the axe station, and analyzes the few different types. There were axes with wood handles, and metal, and other materials that Jungkook couldn't name. He took a second to view each one, but he knew he was on a time limit.

In the end, he chooses the one with the wooden handle. That was the one closest to the one he had at home.

He looks back once, making sure the game makers were watching. He then walks to the targets. They were pretty much just typical targets; blocks with bullseyes on them. Jungkook wanted to get a decent score, so normal targets wouldn't do. However, he thought it would be beneficial to take a few trial shots, so he used the targets anyways.

The axe was a bit heavier than the one he used back at home. Because of that, he took a second to think about what he needed to change to throw it. He tries for the first time, a little off on this go. But by the second try, he was a bit more used to it, and he hit it right in the middle. He hears a hum of approval from the game makers.

Oh but he was only just starting.

He walks over to a different area of the training center, to the corner of the room, where two sides of the wall met. He could see that there were many patches in all four walls, filled in from when they were impaled by various weapons, like knives and swords.

Ever since he was ten years old, even before Junghyun had passed, Jungkook's father had taught him how the basic skills one should know while wielding an axe. He was told to aim for the head. It was the part of the animal they needed the least, the part of the animal that would actually kill them.

And so he treated the corner of the wall like it was a cow, like the crease of the meeting walls was the cow's head, and that it was merely just another cow he had to kill so that his family could make a living.

He throws the axe. And it works. Somehow, it works. The axe lodges into the inner corner of the wall. Even Jungkook was surprised it did what he sought out for it to do. He took a risk, and it paid off.

He wouldn't show the game makers his surprise though, so he walks up to the axe. He turns back to the game makers, taking out the axe in one swift motion. His bicep visibly flexes and releases. The game makers have complete attention on him now, putting down their forks, and even their glasses of wine.

Jungkook starts getting confident.

Still he had more to show off. He did more tricks with his axe, hitting various targets, running and jumping, overall giving his all for these stuck-up Capitalites. Jungkook needed to get the best score he could, so he had to take risks. Decent wasn't good enough now—he was going for fantastic.

Jungkook didn't know how much time had passed when the head game maker called for Jungkook. "I'm afraid we have gotten carried away. You are dismissed, Jungkook Jeon."

The boy gives a small bow out of respect—though he doesn't really respect them—and walks out of the room. He walks back out into the waiting room, and sits next to Jimin as the other boy tribute goes in. He wasn't really in the mood to talk, so he closes his eyes, and leans his head on Jimin's shoulder as Jimin did to him just half an hour or so before. Jimin grabs his hand, as a non-verbal understanding.

Jungkook was so tired. His head was empty, which was a blessing at this point in time. In fact, he only had one thought in his mind. 'I hope I did well enough to protect Mimmie.'