The second Jimin was done with training, he was ushered to leave, to get ready with the prep team. Apparently they had gone over their time for the assessment and were now on a tight schedule. Jimin's throwing skills were hopefully impressive. He tried his best...but for now he could only hope it was good enough.

Jimin barely even had time to make eye contact with Jungkook before he was whisked away to who knows where. Marius, Brielle, and Topaz all met up with him at one point, and the three of them led him to Seokjin. Jimin wanted to protest, to ask for just a moment to catch his breath, but then he remembered once again he was an animal here. He had no rights.

When they made it to the dressing room—or whatever term one would call it, Jimin had no idea—Seokjin was there. The older politely asked for a moment to talk with Jimin alone, and so the prep team rushed out quickly, their flamboyant voices fading as they left.

Jin gestures for the tribute to take a seat, so Jimin does as he was told.

"So, are you excited for the interview at all?" Jin smiles at Jimin, which comforts the boy a bit, but not enough for him to return the look. He really likes Jin, he just wished they had met under different circumstances.

"No," He says bluntly. "The interview only means I'm one step closer to death."

Seokjin purses his lips, unsure of what to say for a moment. "That's a very valid point. And I'm sure the crowds don't help the nerves. Interviews are scary, I understand."

Jin's voice calms Jimin in a way not even Jungkook's can. Jungkook was Jimin's biggest comfort. He was always there for him, standing up for him, holding him when he cried, loving him no matter what, and Jimin cherished it all. He loves Jungkook so much. But he was in a rough place too, he was having to deal with the ever-approaching Hunger Games too. Jimin didn't like to feel like a burden to him—the younger had already done so much for him after all.

With Jin, he doesn't have those kinds of reservations. Sure, everyone had their struggles, but anything Jin was going through wouldn't be nearly on the same level as the tributes. Despite being from the districts originally, Seokjin has obviously had a really good life.

And Seokjin was just kind to him. Jimin could just sit there, under the older's soothing aura and calming words, and feel okay, if even for a split second. His anxiety melts away when he talks with Jin. It was almost as if he could empathize with everything Jimin was going through, even though he had never experienced it himself. He was incredibly emotionally attentive...Jimin thinks he could maybe consider Jin a friend.

"They are scary, but I have to do my best," Jimin makes eye contact with him. "If I'm nervous, they won't love me as much as they originally thought they would."

"The fact that they already love you so much is a blessing, you know," Jin points out. "Most tributes have never, and will never, get that amount of attention. You're going to do amazing."

"I appreciate that," Jimin hesitates. "...Well, I'm sure you've had to do interviews. You're much more experienced than I am when it comes to The Capital anyways. Do you have any tips?"

"Yes of course, Honey," Seokjin beams. "Just try to look happy. Pretend you're at your most comfortable, think about your most beautiful moment in life. If you need to...remember that it's all for him. I'm sure you're thinking that anyways, but if it motivates you, you go for it! You're doing this for your best friend, Jimin. You're doing this for the one you love most."

Jimin nods slowly. "...I am doing it for him. Everything I've been doing these past few days have been for Jungkook."

"And please do me a favor," His smile fades away as he speaks. Jimin's eyes widen the slightest bit at his hardened tone. "Do not speak even remotely ill about The Capital. If you do, they will do everything in their power to make sure you die. They may even try to kill Jungkook in front of you. I know it's hard sometimes, what they're making you all do. The Games should be something unfathomable, something that should not exist in the world we live in. But this is reality. And to survive...well, unfortunately you have to play the game."

"Oh, yeah...of course," Jimin agrees.

"You promise," Jin grabs his hand, seemingly staring into Jimin's soul. "Not one thing."

"Not one thing," Jimin begins to get a bit confused at the stylist's determination. But then again, The Capital was a confusing place. Seokjin was probably just being overprotective. "I promise."

"Good," His voice goes soft. "That's great. Not one thing."

Even with his strict warning, Jimin didn't need to be told twice not to speak badly about The Capital. No one who publicly spoke against The Capital made it out of The Games alive, not one person. Not only did they not get sponsors, but many got killed by 'natural disasters' the Gamemakers came up with in the arena. They'd send something after them, like a flood, or a fire, like the one that killed the District 12 girl in the 74th Hunger Games. She had taken the place of her sister, and met a horrible, excruciating death at the hands of the Gamemakers.

It was silent for many moments. Jin was still holding onto Jimin's hand. He rubs it with his thumb, just a bit. "Alright," He almost whispers. "Let's get you ready, shall we?"

Jimin nods, unable to speak. It was as if Seokjin was talking to a scared puppy. Well, scared puppy Jimin was just about ready to follow Jin home. He was surprised by how much he needed outside comfort. He hoped that somehow, if Jimin wasn't doing a good enough job, that Jungkook was finding outside comfort too.

Jimin needed Jungkook, just like he was sure Jungkook needed him. But he was glad he had multiple people during this dark point in time. He wished he could hug his brother one last time, as well as his mother, and his stoic father. But for now, Seokjin would do. He was the best Jimin had, so he may as well be grateful.

The stylist calls for the prep team once again. The three come in quickly, a bounce in their step. They sit Jimin down without a word in his direction, and get to work immediately.

"I can't believe we only have three hours!" Brielle cries. Only? Jimin didn't realize it would take that long. Three hours seemed like way too much time already.

"Wait, let me take another picture!" Topaz's camera makes a snapping noise as he takes a photo of the tribute. "You're just so cute, I can't handle it!"

"Ugh, look at your finger nails!" Marius grabs one of Jimin's hands, putting the hand not holding the tribute's on his forehead quite dramatically. "What have you been doing these past few days?"

"Learning how not to die," Jimin's tone, while still quiet, becomes hostile and bitter, he couldn't control it. All the comfort he had gotten from Seokjin had melted away. He was so uncomfortable right now. "You know, because I'm going to a death arena tomorrow? I didn't really think to worry about my nails these past few days."

That made the three Capitalites silent for a few seconds.

But then they were back to their normal bubbly selves, as if they hadn't just heard what Jimin said. Jimin's heart sinks, as slight annoyance runs through his veins. He knew this was how Capitalites were, he knew they didn't care about him as a human being in the least bit...but why did it have to hurt so much?

He makes eye contact with Jin, who gives him a small smile. Jimin focuses on him, it makes him feel better. How does Seokjin do that? He has a level of emotional intelligence that Jimin doesn't understand, but he utilizes it regardless. And so, staring into the stylist's warm eyes, he takes a few deep breaths, calming down, slightly less affected by how the three treat him.

Jimin felt just like a doll as the prep team worked, and not in a good way. He sat and did nothing, while they all made him pretty. Topaz wouldn't need a doll of Jimin when he had a life-sized one to dress up right in front of him. It was dehumanizing.

They prettied him up, and in the end...Jimin did feel pretty. And he liked feeling pretty—when it wasn't being used as an insult towards him, that is. He thinks of what Caspian said days ago with a bit of a shudder. It wasn't even the first time someone has said that either. A couple times at school, he had heard some targeted insults hurled his way, mostly from kids whose parents worked hard labor, who would most likely follow in their footsteps. Most of them were jealous of the life and family he had, and targeted him for the first thing they saw as a potential weak spot.

Jimin couldn't believe people could be so cruel.

He just wanted to be himself, and he was good at it. The way he lived his life was no business of anyone else. Yet he still got targeted every now and again.

And he thought the people back in District 10 were better than the Capitalites. Now that he was thinking about it...they could be just as cruel, just in a whole different way.

After an agonizingly long time, Jimin was finally allowed a break from getting played with. They had styled his hair, redone his nails, put him in makeup. As Jimin looks in the mirror, for one of the last times in his life...he likes what he sees. That was slightly comforting, in a way.

He gets out of the stiff styling chair, his joints slightly sore from not having moved in quite a long time. Seokjin ushers the prep team out for the final time, and retrieves Jimin's outfit for the interview. It was a red suit, fitted and sleek, made of higher-quality materials than Jimin had ever seen before. There wasn't anything unordinary about this suit, but the simplicity was what the smaller liked about it.

Seokjin helps Jimin into his outfit, giving the tribute all the time he needs. They don't talk as Jimin puts it on. In fact, Jin looks away as he helps. It was all such little things that Jin did for him, but Jimin was grateful for every bit of it.

Jimin looks in the full-length mirror. He could admit it—he looked really good. He turns slightly, just enough so that he can still see himself.

"Don't these pants look a little too tight?" Jimin furrows his eyebrows.

"We took all your measurements precisely, these clothes were made just for you," Seokjin explains. "The Capital loves tight clothing, to the point where they sacrifice all comfort for the perfect silhouette. I didn't want you to be uncomfortable, so the pants aren't restrictive, but...if I'm being honest, the Capitalites love seeing what these pants show off."

"What!?" Jimin whips around to face him, face falling completely. He felt so betrayed. "You're sexualizing me because the Capital people find it entertaining? I'm barely an adult!"

"It wasn't my choice, Honey" Seokjin looks defeated. "I...this isn't my outfit for you. I had a much better idea for an interview look, but they went over my head. The stylists in charge gave me this instead. I'm so sorry, Jimin. I tried so hard."

Jimin's shoulders droop with the information. "Oh...I should've known this wasn't your doing. I'm so sorry, Jin. You've been so kind to me."

"Of course I'm kind to you, Honey. You're in need of compassion right now," Seokjin stares at him with sympathy. "The Hunger Games are terrible, and yet everyone here seems to have forgotten that. I want you to know I haven't."

"That...that's really good to hear," Jimin whispers. "Thank you."

"This outfit is for the better, Jimin. Remember that," Seokjin reminds. "You have no choice in the matter, so remember that this outfit will most likely help you get sponsors. Physical appearance is the most important attribute one can have in The Capital—that, and status. You're attractive Jimin. You're not a child anymore. If they don't want to see you as a child, they won't."

"That's so gross," Jimin furrows his eyebrows.

"I know it is," Jin looks down. "But most of them at least only do it to those who are eighteen. I stay away from the ones who view the twelve year olds like dolls. They tend to forget they're human."

"That's what I've been thinking this whole time," Jimin's eyes widen.

"I'm sure," Seokjin nods. "And I'm sorry you even have to think that way. It's a terrible way to have to go through life."

"You're right," Jimin huffs out a bitter laugh. "You know exactly how I feel. It's as if you've had to go through this entire experience yourself."

"I've seen many tributes go through The Games these past few years. I've personally talked to many that have died," Jin shrugs. "You come to learn their mindsets. And their mindsets become your own."

"Oh...that would make a lot of sense," Seokjin was still a district kid under that pink hair and those nice clothes, after all. "I feel better about this outfit now. Though I'm sure I would've liked yours better."

"I appreciate the complement," Jin smiles. "But this outfit is good too. It'll help you get sponsors for Jungkook, hm?"

"Yeah," Jimin agrees. "It'll help me get sponsors for Jungkook."

Right now, he just really wanted Jungkook. He wanted to be by him, to be able to look at his face as much as he could before he was at a place where he no longer would be able to. Seokjin was so comforting, but he wasn't Jungkook. His comforts, Jimin realized, ran out. Meanwhile, Jungkook could always make Jimin feel better, even if it was minimal. He loves Jungkook so much, more than anyone. He just...he really needed Jungkook.

But he would have to wait quite a few minutes more. Minutes that would inch by like snails.

"...I want to go home," Jimin suddenly whispers, tears forming in his eyes. "Damn it."

"Oh. Oh, Baby," Jin grabs a tissue, dabbing at his eyes so no tears fall down his face. "Take a deep breath, Jimin. Try not to think about home. Home is not a good place right now, home is not a source of comfort. You can't think about your home, or your family. It's better this way."

"Are you telling me to forget my loved ones?" Jimin cries.

"No, not at all! Just...you can't think about them right now. Think about them in The Games, use them as motivation to survive, use Jungkook's family too, if you have to..." Jin trails. "But don't think of them now. Thinking about your home now will only make things worse for you."

"O-okay," Jimin sniffs. "Thank you. I appreciate you consoling me."

"It's what I'm here for," Seokjin deflects. "We come from different parts of the country, but us district people need to stick together against the big bad Capital, hm?"

"You told me not to bad mouth The Capital not long ago," Jimin chuckles a bitter chuckle. "Don't do what you've told me not to do. I don't want you getting in trouble."

"I won't say anything worse," Jin assures. "But I hope you know we both think in a very similar way. And I'm here to be a friend for today and tomorrow, and I'll be rooting for you throughout The Games. I know you'll be there fighting for Jungkook, but that doesn't mean I don't want you to live too."

"I know, that's how many people I'm close to feel," Jimin sighs. "I'm happy to have a friend that's not Jungkook here with me. I won't promise you I'll come home, I won't promise I'll even try. If I come home, I don't know what I'd do with my life. I'd be a shell of a human being, so...I'd rather not come home at all."

"I know that," Seokjin looks down. "But I'm still going to really miss you."

"I...I think I'll miss you too," Jimin's voice is quiet. "I'll probably be in there for a long time—until the end, if I can help it. I'll have plenty of time to miss all my loved ones...and I think I'll miss you too."

Seokjin gives him a hug. "I've never become friends with any of my tributes. Now I know why. This is going to be very painful."

"I know," The younger smiles bitterly. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize when it's you who's about to go through hell," He deflects.

"I'm still sorry."

The tributes get called down to the backstage, where they'd wait until it was time for their interview. "I'll see you tomorrow," Jin pulls away from the hug, his hands on Jimin's arms. "Good luck, my little dove."

The smaller smiles at the nickname—he genuinely likes it. "Thank you, Seokjin."

Jimin walks quickly to his destination. The quicker he gets there, the more time he'd get to spend with Jungkook. Every second counted. It had been too long apart from him. He was ready to see Jungkook.

And when he finally did, he was blown away.

Jungkook was wearing a royal blue suit with a dark floral undershirt. The undershirt was sheer, so Jimin could see skin, and his suit was tight and fitted. He eyed the taller's muscles rippling under the jacket he wore, even as his arms were relaxed. Jimin's heart begins to pound in his chest.

Jungkook was so attractive.

Once again, he wills the thoughts in his mind to go away. If Jungkook—or anyone for that matter, knew what Jimin was thinking right now, well...he may as well curl up and die of humiliation right at that moment. They weren't dirty thoughts or anything...he was just a bit embarrassed at how incredibly smitten he was for the younger.

Jungkook spots him, and walks towards him, which was good for Jimin. His feet feel cemented into the ground, his eyes not able to waver from Jungkook.

"Do I look bad?"

"What?" Jimin breaks out of his thoughts.

"You were staring at me," Jungkook tells him. "Does it look bad? Does blue not suit me?"

"N-no, that's not it at all!" Jimin assures, shaking his head quickly. "I just..." He scrambles for an answer. "I-I'm not used to you wearing makeup." Jungkook, like Jimin, wasn't wearing much. But it was enough to be noticeable, enough to enhance his features, enough to make him that much more beautiful. "It looks great, though."

"Yeah?" Jungkook's eyes go a bit brighter. "I was nervous it wouldn't suit me as well as I would have hoped."

"It does," Jimin promises. "Really well. And the suit...you shouldn't have any doubts about that either. You really pull it off. You're going to draw a lot of people in."

"Oh, good," Jungkook scratches the back of his head. "Your suit looks great too. But...are you wearing the right size pants? Those don't look very comfortable."

"They're fine, and they are my size," Jimin looks down. "Someone went over my stylist's head and made me wear them. So that the Capitalites would be more entertained. And so...so they would look at me a certain way."

"What?" Jungkook looks at him, angry. "Th-that's insane. You were reaped for The Hunger Games. Whatever they may be thinking, no one will get to follow through with you, even if you did win. A-and you're just a child, this is wrong."

"But I'm not a child, not technically," Jimin forces the words out. "I'm eighteen, remember?"

"Oh...yeah," Jungkook's eyebrows furrow. "But that's so disgusting."

"I know," Jimin shudders, hating the situation he was in, hating he was making Jungkook feel this way. But...but he had to voice the thoughts in his head to someone. "But they'll sponsor me, hoping I'll win, hoping they meet me, and it'll come up in conversations that they helped me out, and that something will come of it. Hoping I'm a naïve, broken kid, that they can manipulate..." His voice breaks off, shaking.

"Jimin, stop talking, please," Jungkook whispers. "You're smart, you won't break. Nothing will happen. You have to be strong for the interviews."

"I'm sorry," Jimin stares at him. "Did I hurt you?"

"Well yeah, I don't like the thought of you being used, or that people think they'd be able to use you," Jungkook scoops him into a hug. "But it's not your fault. I love you, Mimmie."

And there it was, the comfort Jimin craved back when he was with Jin. He holds him close. "I love you too."

"Please line up with your district," A man interrupts the two. "Oh, you're the ones from District 10. You need to move farther back."

Jimin huffs. What was he, a celebrity? Everyone knew who he was. Out of the seventy-two people there, everyone knew who Jimin was. He doesn't like the attention, but he knows Jungkook hates it even more. They treat Jungkook like a celebrity too.

But despite that, he says, "Okay, we will."

Taking Jungkook by the wrist gently, he walks back to the other tributes he recognizes from their district. He was almost...embarrassed. He continued to get into these awkward situations with Jungkook. That was the reason so many people thought they were a couple. Jimin messes up, and gets wrapped up in Jungkook's hugs and sweet words, and his mind wanders to the point other people have to break him out of his thoughts. Jimin felt so bad he was putting Jungkook in this situation.

"You're famous, you know," Jungkook says what Jimin was thinking just seconds before.

"Because of you," Jimin points out. "Who also seems to be pretty famous."

"True," Jungkook looks around the room. "People are giving us looks."

"Probably because we're existing in the same space again," Jimin sighs. "We do nothing but be ourselves and we get weird looks."

"Then...do you want me to give you distance?" Jungkook asks him in a low tone. "In public at least?"

"No, not at all!" Jimin shakes his head quickly. "Do...do you?"

"No, you're my best friend, of course not," Jungkook looks at him with sad eyes. "I'd rather be with you than alone. Even if it means people are staring."

That means a lot coming from Jungkook.

"Let them stare, I don't care anymore, and I hope you don't either," Jimin finally says. "I love you, and I want you around me, and we're friends, and that's all there is to it. This is The Capital, where," He drops his voice so only Jungkook could hear, remembering his promise to Jin. "Entertainment is more important than human lives."

Jimin was so sick of all of this. So sick of the polishing up, and the motivation from people, and the encouragement, and the attention. He didn't want to do any of it anymore.

Though, he supposes he should be careful what he wishes for. Because this all of would end tomorrow. And Jimin was not ready for that.

He sizes up the tributes once again. Was anyone actually excited for The Games, he wonders? He assumed Caspian was. Ugh, there he was thinking about that guy again. His followers, Namjoon and Taehyung, he believed, could be excited too.

Namjoon had a cocky confidence he'd seen from no one else. Whether they wanted to be here or not, they were both skilled, attractive, and had personalities the Capitalites would probably fall for. There was almost an 100% chance they'd get sponsors. Which meant they had a larger chance of winning.

Taehyung was quiet, so Jimin didn't really know what he was thinking. He'd probably use that to his advantage. Jimin didn't understand why Taehyung told him 'Good Luck.' Good luck for what? For The Games? For something else entirely? Jimin accidentally makes eye contact with him, and freezes. Taehyung stares, expression once again unreadable, before nodding once, and looking away.

Did Taehyung...respect him? He really couldn't tell.

None of that mattered though. Neither Namjoon nor Taehyung were a match for Jimin's determination. He would be willing to be driven to insanity if it meant Jungkook survived. He would do anything for Jungkook.

He had always thought he'd die for Jungkook if the circumstance ever arose. If Jungkook had gotten reaped, Jimin would volunteer in a heartbeat, especially since his family had lost a son before. But never once did he think he'd be in this together with Jungkook.

And so, through this process, Jimin was putting that theory to the test. Would he actually be able to die for Jungkook?

The second he had heard Jungkook's name out of Hoseok's mouth for the very first time, the day of the reaping, he knew he was a man of his word.

Jimin doesn't want to die, of course it wasn't like that. He just...values Jungkook's life above his own. When he was younger, and his parents said they would die for Jimin and his brother, he didn't get it. How could one value someone else's life above their own? Sure, it would be extremely difficult if a loved one died...but risking his own life to save someone else's? It confused Jimin, and he swore he'd never do it.

But then he met Jungkook. And slowly, everything his parents used to say to him made sense. There really were people in this world whom he loved so much he was willing to lay his life down for them. After realizing that, he figured out he was more than willing to die for his father, his mother, Jihyun, and Jungkook, if the need arose.

And now he would have to die for Jungkook. Was he scared? Of course. But knowing Jungkook would get to live made it all worth it for him. It gave Jimin a sense of calm regarding death he wouldn't otherwise have.

"We're waiting for three more!" A lady says, annoyed. "Why can't stylists keep on time?"

"We'll go in ten minutes," The man that was directing them answers. "They better be there, or those stylists will have hell to pay."

Ten minutes...those two words get Jimin nervous, more so than before. Sure, it wouldn't be ten minutes for him specifically, because there were so many tributes ahead of him. But that fact didn't help much. He didn't want to go up there. Not with how he was feeling right now.

He just hopes he doesn't throw up on the stage.

Jungkook seemed to have noticed. And here he was thinking he was hiding his nerves. "Mimmie, take deep breaths. You can't let them see you like this," He speaks in whispers. "They'll think you're weak, remember? Then you'll get no sponsors, and you'll be seen as an easy target."

"No one thinks I'm an easy target," Jimin shakes his shoulders, eyes darting around, thoughts loud and slightly wild. "Did you see the way everyone was looking at me this week? They're scared of me, scared of us."

"Still..." Jungkook trails.

"But aren't you scared?" Jimin looks at him with helpless eyes. "How do you look so cool right now?" He was so in awe of the taller. Jungkook was always perfect, he was so much better at hiding his emotions than Jimin was. He envies his best friend.

"Of course I'm scared, but I'm not good at showing my emotions," Jungkook reminds. "Unlike you. Sometimes it's helpful, like right now. But I wish I could tell people what I was thinking with my face. It's why you're better at connecting with people than I am. Trust me, once you get up there, once Caesar gets one word out of you, everyone will fall in love with you. You're so good at that, so you have nothing to worry about."

"Oh...thank you," Jimin didn't care about making everyone fall in love with him. The only person he wanted to fall in love with him was the one that he couldn't have.

Nonetheless, Jungkook's words calm his nerves, just a bit. Once again, there was Jungkook being perfect. Jimin loved him so much...too much, even.

The second the first tribute goes up, Jimin watches them intently. He focuses on each tribute to the best of his ability. As one goes after the other, Jimin notices each of them have a distinctive personality trait they try to bring out. Taehyung, for example, Jimin could tell was trying to be dark and mysterious, but still shy and innocent. Namjoon focuses on his clever confidence, intelligence rolling off his tongue with every word.

A District 4 girl used innocence, a District 7 boy, brute strength. Suddenly Jimin was wondering about his own act. Would it be good enough? Unique enough?

"These interviews are boring," Jungkook's breath is warm against Jimin's ear. "You're going to do so much better."

"You will too," Jimin turns around to look at him.

"Not like you," Jungkook shakes his head. "Not with your charm."

"They already love you, Koo," He argues.

"Because of you," Jungkook gives him a look. "The only reason they love me is because they love you too."

"No, they love you because you're handsome," Jimin tries to cheer him up. "And they will love you even more when you go up on stage."

Jungkook raises an eyebrow. "Is that a promise?"

And, even though he knew he couldn't promise for other people, he was sure he wasn't lying when he answered, "It is."

"And next up, we have our first male tribute from District 10, Jimin Park!" Caesar Flickerman's voice rings through the backstage. Fear fills him immediately once again. But then he feels a small squeeze on his hand, and he looks behind him to see Jungkook's small, but incredibly encouraging smile.

That boosts his confidence enough to walk ahead.

He was instructed silently to walk up on stage by one of the staff members. And so he does, taking one last deep breath. Today, he'd be a celebrity. He'd pretend, he'd act, he'd give the crowd a reason to love him.

He was Jimin. Charming, cute, smart, Jimin. And he was going to be loved.

With a surge of determination, he walks across the stage.

Caesar's hair was bubblegum pink this year, which paired well with the overly excessive eyeliner he was wearing. His smile was big and bright, almost so pearly white it reflected off the lights overhead. It all looks so fake...Caesar was a performer too, Jimin realizes. These weren't Caesar's real emotions, and if he could fake his emotions for so many decades, Jimin could fake them for a couple minutes.

"Come come," Caesar ushers him forward, gesturing to the seat closest to Jimin. "Sit!"

Again, Jimin does as told, feeling like Topaz's doll of himself rather than his true self. But he supposed it was for the better. He would be real in the arena, where he was stripped down to only raw survival instincts.

"So Jimin—lovely name, by the way," Caesar starts the interview. "How'd you get it?"

"Um, well, I'm Korean," Jimin starts, smiling back at him. "Or, I guess my grandparents were the ones that were Korean, since South Korea no longer exists. That's where they all came from, both my mother's parents and my father's. They wanted to give me a name from our culture. And so, my name is Jimin."

"Wow, well isn't that a lovely backstory," Caesar chuckles. "My parents named me Caesar because they liked the name. Boring much? You know what wasn't boring though? Those tribute parade outfits. I loved them! So rustic, so fitted, so spectacular! So very different from outfits in games' past. Tell me your thoughts on them Jimin."

"Oh, well at first I was a bit nervous," Jimin confesses, trying to show his cuter side a bit, but it feels sort of awkward. "Every other district was shining—literally—and here we were wearing black and white patterned fabric, nothing else. But...then I realized we stood out because of the simplicity. Everyone here goes above and beyond, trying to make the most eye-catching outfit, to the point they sometimes go too far. Our stylists stepped back and thought about what would really catch the crowd's eyes, and simplicity worked. Besides..." Jimin blushes a little, looking down. The audience swoons at him, boosting Jimin's confidence. They were loving it, it seemed. "I liked the way the outfit looked on me. My waist looked so small, I...I felt cute."

The audience went wild, bursting into loud exclamations. Jimin hears the word 'adorable,' passed around quite a few times. A soft smile grows onto his face.

"Oh you were so cute!" Caesar agrees. "I swear I ate that up like I was on my cheat day, I could not get enough! Everyone thought so I'm sure, but...you really only care that one man thinks you're cute, hm? Let's talk about the thing everyone's been waiting for us to talk about."

"Ah I knew this moment was coming," Jimin huffs out a laugh, looking at the ground once again.

"It would take a blind, dead man buried six feet under the ground to miss how close you and another tribute are," Caesar gives him a suggestive look. "Tell us everything, Jimin, address the rumors. Do we perhaps have a couple among us?"

Unlike before, the crowd was silent, waiting for Jimin to speak. He was very aware of this, taking a big gulp. All eyes were on him...and he'd finally have to break the news. He wouldn't be able to ride on the rumors of them being in love anymore. He'd have to sit alone with his feelings for Jungkook once again.

"Ah, no, no couple among us Caesar," Jimin shakes his head, making eye contact with the interviewer. Charisma and charm drips from his voice, in a way he hoped would make people less disappointed. "Me and Koo—I mean, Jungkook—have been the best of friends for half a decade now. We've never been in a romantic relationship," He looks over to Jungkook at the bottom of the stairs, who stares right back at him with warm eyes. Oh good...that meant he was doing well, right? "To be honest, I'm surprised so many people thought that was the case. It seemed like everyone we ran into brought it up."

Caesar jolts, blinking rapidly as if he can't believe what he's heard. "What!? You're pulling my leg!"

"I'm not," Jimin shakes his head. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Caesar, but that's the truth."

"Well, that was not the answer I was expecting, ladies and gentlemen," Caesar addresses the crowd. "But I'm still in denial. Are you positively sure you two aren't in love?"

Jimin's face heats up quickly at the prompting. He almost feels as if he was getting backed into a corner. "Come on, he's been my best friend for five years. I-I'm pretty sure we aren't in love with each other, Caesar. You'd think I would've known by now if Jungkook was in love with me."

Caesar sighs a dramatic sigh. "I guess you would know better than me," He then shouts to the crowd. "Well, that's all the time we have allotted for this wonderful specimen right here. Jimin Park everyone!"

The crowd erupts in praise. Jimin stares out into the darkness, a small smile growing onto his face. Maybe he had the ability to make everyone love him after all.

*

'You'd think I would've known by now if Jungkook was in love with me.'

Oh, how wrong Jimin was.

Jungkook was half proud of himself that he hid it so well....the other half of himself was hurt by the blunt confirmation. Sure, he already knew it, it was obvious. Jimin wasn't in love with him. But hearing it straight from his mouth still sucked.

But he brushes it off, as it was his name called next by the seemingly timeless man. 'Jungkook Jeon' echoes from the speakers and out into the crowd...it was a weird feeling.

Jungkook wasn't sure how old Caesar Flickerman was. He had to have been around for at least half The Games—he was older than Jungkook's parents by a fair amount. And yet he looked so young. The products The Capital used were truly remarkable.

"Ah, it's the other man everyone's talking about!" Caesar starts talking before Jungkook even reaches the middle of the platform.

"Yeah, um, I guess it is," Jungkook laughs awkwardly. He was amazed by the face Jimin was able to put on while one stage. It was as if it were Jimin's best day, he had acted as if he were having so much fun. And the older was a mess before it all, making the whole act even more impressive. Jungkook only hoped he could do the same.

He sits next to the pink-haired man, who waits for him to get situated before speaking again.

"So, let's start off easy, warm up to the stage, shall we?" Caesar starts. "I'm sure The Capital is a change of pace from what you're used to. What has been your favorite part about our beautiful city?"

It takes a second for Jungkook to think of an answer. What was there to like about this place if by being here only meant he was on his way to an arena of death? But he looks at Caesar with a coy smile. "The way the meat is prepared. It's so different from what I'm used to. Actually, while I'm on that subject, I found out that the steak we had one dinner came from me and Mimmie's family businesses, so I was really proud of that."

"Mimmie?" Caesar questions with a smirk, an eyebrow raised.

"O-oh, I mean Jimin," Jungkook corrects quickly. How did he make such a mistake!? "I'm sorry, we don't usually call each other by our names." He takes a deep breath, not wanting to reveal all this information, but knowing it was for the better if he did. It was as if he were letting go of a big secret...and it was hard to let go of something that was just for the two of them. "I call him Mimmie, he calls me Koo. No one else is allowed to call us that."

"Oh my good God!" Caesar gushes. "You just can't get enough of these two, am I right?"

The audience yells in agreement. Hoseok, who was in one of the first few rows, hollers, "You should see them when there aren't any cameras around! Canoodling non-stop!"

"Ah canoodling I heard, without the kissing part, according to Jimin," Another smirk. "But we'll get back to you two. On a much different note...my sources tell me that you're not the first of your family to get reaped for The Hunger Games."

"Oh..." Jungkook's eyes widen. He should've known this would've come up, it made perfect sense. And yet he was still caught off guard. "N-no. I'm not. My brother was reaped five years ago. He was fourteen at the time."

The crowd rumbles into sad remarks.

"Oh you poor thing," Caesar speaks with disgustingly fake sympathy. "How old were you back then?"

"I-I was twelve," Jungkook starts tearing up, he couldn't help it. He did not want to look weak by a long shot, that was the worst thing he could do. But...but maybe the Capitalites would understand, maybe they'd like him even more now knowing he has a dead brother he loved. Maybe...they'd enjoy a story where a Games victim's kin prevails where his older brother couldn't. Maybe they'd want to sponsor him so that would happen.

Jungkook continues. "I watched him die...my own brother die...at only twelve. I never thought I'd have to experience this again, but here I am, with my best friend. I can't watch another one of my loved ones die this way."

"Oh, the pair of you must have it so hard right now," Caesar's voice was starting to get annoying. He obviously didn't care about him, making the urge to cry stronger than it already was before. He was so alone. "What will you two do in The Games? Only one of you can win."

"I-I know that," Jungkook chooses his words carefully.

If he says straight out that he wants to die so that Jimin can live, he knows the older won't take it well. And so, he figured out exactly how to say how he feels without discouraging Jimin in any way. He planned it out beforehand, practicing in his head over and over again so he could get it perfectly if Caesar chose to ask him the question.

"But what's the point of leaving one another? I'm sure many people don't even want to imagine the situation we're in, because I'll be honest, it's the worst thing in the world," He wipes his eyes, tears much less present than they just were, now focused on other things. "But I'm sure many people have imagined nonetheless. So many people would leave their loved ones behind, because they couldn't bear watching them die. However, I want to protect Jimin, just as much as I'm sure he wants to protect me. I wouldn't be able to live with myself, knowing he could be off dying somewhere else. Jimin and I are stronger together, I have absolutely no intention of leaving him, not until my dying breath."

The crowd was stunned into silence for a few seconds, before it built up again in hushed, 'wow's, among other things. Jungkook's mini speech must have had an effect on them.

It didn't really feel like he had said a lot, especially since it was only a fraction of what he actually felt, but The Capital ate it up. It left Jungkook almost embarrassed, how much they cared about what he had to say, as if he'd slip up and say he was in love with Jimin, or something of the sorts. But of course he wouldn't. He wouldn't confess his love for Jimin on national television. That was close to the worst possible way for Jimin to find out.

"Wow, that's extremely heartwarming," Even Caesar seems a bit surprised. "Jungkook, you're making me feel like I just took a sip of creamy hot chocolate." He hugs himself, and the audience laughs. "I am so in love with your love. And, I asked Jimin the same thing, but you're sure it's not romantic love?"

"Jimin and I have always been just friends, nothing more," Jungkook assures, swerving around the question with what he hoped was eloquence. "I'm sorry you're not happy with the answer."

"Well, I guess I can't be too angry, we love watching you two together. Don't we everyone?" Caesar stands, and the crowd cheers the loudest they have all night for Jungkook. It surprises the tribute. "Jeon Jungkook everybody!" More cheers. They seem to really love him—if anything, for being one half of a beloved pair.

Jungkook looks over at the other tributes, who barely clapped for him. The ones who did, did so out of pity. The general public really liked Jungkook. The tributes hated Jungkook for being well-liked. But...that was okay. Jimin got a lot of cheers too. They had the support of the people, which Jungkook supposed was worth the sacrifice of tributes disliking them.

Most of them were scared of the two of them anyways, too scared to be a threat. The fact that Jungkook was able to rationalize that put him at ease.

"You did so well, Koo," Jimin whispers words of praise as Jungkook walks backstage.

"You did too," Jungkook stares at him. "You're a natural entertainer. I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you," Jimin looks down, smiling a bit. Jungkook was glad to see it. His natural smile was one of the best things in the world.

Jungkook wraps his arm around Jimin's shoulders, holding him close without another word. Jimin wrapped both his arms around Jungkook's waist, leaning his head on his chest. They've been a lot touchier these days—it just was a natural progression. Jimin initiated most of the physical contact at home, and he did it a good amount. Jungkook loved that about Jimin. But now, Jungkook just needed to hold him close. He'd hold him close until he couldn't anymore.

In silence they watched the remaining interviews. Jungkook knew they were both too overwhelmed to speak, so he just rested his cheek against Jimin's head instead. The interviews were kind of slow, and not that interesting, but that was actually okay right now. As he closed his eyes, he was glad time was inching by. Right now, he just wished time would stop all together.

But alas, time didn't stop for them, and before Jungkook knew it, the interviewers were over, which meant one more step towards The Games. Jimin didn't leave his side once, his arms never strayed from Jungkook's waist. With the hand that occasionally rubbed over Jungkook's stomach, he made the butterflies go away. Jungkook in turn rubbed Jimin's back slowly, the friction of his fingers against the fabric making his fingertips feel weird.

The pull away from each other as they walk back to the crystal elevator. They had to wait many minutes since they walked so slowly, and so many people got there before them. Plus, the thought of being squished in an elevator again was suffocating enough. He didn't want to go anywhere near it with so many people around.

So Jimin waits with him. Until all the tributes, and stylists, and escorts, and mentors, were gone. Yoongi walks past them, patting each of them on their shoulders, saying good job. Hoseok does too, stopping to praise them quickly before running onto the elevator himself, standing next to Yoongi in the crowded space and talking loudly, laughing at the things he was saying.

Finally...no one was waiting for the elevator. Jungkook didn't even mean for them to wait that long, but they were now the only two on the ground level.

"Sorry," Jungkook mumbles. "I-I was so lost in thought, I didn't even..."

"It's okay," Jimin assures quietly. "Let's go up. They're probably waiting for us."

And so they walk on. Jungkook doesn't even feel like standing, and so he sits. On the ground, criss-crossed, he sits without saying anything. Jimin too says nothing, seeming to understand the feelings Jungkook didn't even know if he could explain himself. The older pets his hair quietly, Jungkook's eyes fluttering closed once again. He doesn't want to see the ground shrink beneath him, so he'll just focus on Jimin's touch instead.

Once he hears the sound of the elevator signifying that they had reached their floor, Jungkook stands up as quickly as he can. He doesn't want others to see him sitting on the elevator floor...it made him feel vulnerable.

But the two walk to the dining room, where they'd be having a very late dinner. Scores would be released over their meal. Usually, they would have been released before interviews, but it was just too many tributes this year—even with shorter assessment time and interviews. So they didn't have the time.

Everyone was there except for Yoongi. "Oh there you two are!" Hoseok walks to them, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "I saw you two down below, but I didn't realize it would take this long! Yoongi has gone off to his room, the Grumpy Little Meow Meow was 'too tired' to stick around and chat. But to that I say blasphemy!"

"Who's a Grumpy Little Meow Meow?" Yoongi walks in, shooting a soft glare at Hoseok.

"Oh, well, you..." Hoseok sounds almost nervous. "Hello Yoongi, I-I didn't see you come in. I've just...well, I've always thought you looked like a cat."

"Little Meow Meow is dumb," Yoongi criticizes. "Can't you Capitalites say a single thing normally?"

"Why not make life a little fun? You don't have to be such a grouch. And anyways, my point still stands," Hoseok turns his nose up. "You look like a cat. And if you can use my nickname I can make one for you."

"Not that God awful one," He shuts down.

"Well I'd still like to give you a nickname," Hoseok furrows his eyebrows. "You've always had one for me. I love giving my friends nicknames."

"Don't call me friend," Yoongi huffs. "We have a professional relationship."

"What? You don't consider me your friend!?" Hoseok is practically clutching his non-existent pearls. "But we've known each other for years!"

"No, obviously we're not friends," But he smiles. It was so obvious he was messing with Hoseok. "We're colleagues."

Jungkook turns over to say something to Jimin, but stops when he sees the shorter's eyes filled with the smallest bit of warmth. "What?"

Jimin goes up to whisper into Jungkook's ear. "He really does look like a cat. It makes him less intimidating."

Jungkook thought Jimin's banter with Yoongi was cute. "It does."

This was good. Jimin wasn't thinking about tomorrow. He wasn't thinking about all the death that would take place once The Games started. Jungkook wished he could feel that way.

He could be dead tomorrow, Jimin could be dead tomorrow. At least if they were dead, they'd be dead together. But Jungkook knew that was selfish. Jimin had a mother, a father, and a brother to go home to. More people needed Jimin than people needed Jungkook. The smaller's life was simply more valuable.

He tried so hard to hide his emotions, to be strong for Jimin, but that was all he could think about, and it was eating him alive.

Jimin and Jungkook walk to the dining table, sitting down with the rest of the people from and working for their district. Everyone was waiting for them to sit. Jungkook hated all the eyes on him.

"Okay, we're finally all ready for dinner!" Hoseok claps. "Now, let's turn on the television, they're going to announce scores soon!"

An avox turns on the TV for them all before quickly exiting the room. It was luckily facing Jungkook, so he didn't have to crane his neck to see it. It was wide and flat-screened, so much nicer than his boxy old TV at home.

"Those interviews tonight sure were something, huh? So many great moments!" Caesar beams. Did his face not hurt at all? "Tune it at eleven tonight for the highlight reel! Stick around right now though, because I'm here with our head game maker, Victoria Falconeer~! Victoria, please, tell us your thoughts of some of the tributes this year."

Jungkook recognizes Victoria from the assessment. Her hair was a bright and brilliant blue, that complemented her beautiful dark skin in a way Jungkook didn't know how to describe, he just knew it looked really nice. Her hair was big too, in a stunning afro that Jungkook loved. She wore matching bracelets and anklets, thin and golden. Her jumpsuit was a muted light blue—a much different shade than that of her hair. And her irises were a deep purple, dyed from their original color.

Jungkook truly thought she was beautiful. He didn't know he could think that about a Capitalite, but here he was being proven wrong. What was he doing being surrounded by so many attractive people lately? Being around Jimin constantly was already the most he could take.

Victoria was actively in charge of making sure Jungkook would die in the next few days though...so perhaps she wasn't as beautiful as he first thought.  

"We have a good batch of tributes this year, Caesar," Victoria's smile was conservative (again, for a Capitalite). "There was a wide range out there, much of what I expected. But let's just say there were a few people that surprised me."

"Ooh! Do tell us details!" Caesar pats his thighs excitedly.

"Well, scores will be out in just a few minutes, so I'll keep my lips sealed on that part," Victoria tells him. "But there were a few tributes I was afraid would only rely on their looks for The Games—because you know us Capitalites just eat up the pretty ones." The two of them laugh. "Those tributes end up getting help early on, but don't survive long. This year, though, the pretty faces can fight. That's just always a joy to see."

"You're right, you're right," Caesar agrees. "Pretty faces don't need social skills like the rest of us old fuddy duddies. And yet the interviews were full of good content! Highlight reel at eleven," He reminds the camera again with a wink, as if he didn't just say the same thing minutes before. "Our favorite non-couple couple in particular were quite captivating characters! Such attractive personalities, I much say."

Jungkook looks down at his food. When would they stop talking about him and Jimin?

"Yes, I did see that pair," Victoria chuckles. "Two very promising young men."

"Alright, that's enough stalling!" Caesar waves his hands around. "Let's see the scores already!"

And so, the screen switches to the first District 1 tribute, with Caesar and Victoria each in a little box in the bottom corners, commenting occasionally as the faces flash by. The head game maker was right—the scores were mostly predictable. Caspian got a 6, Taehyung got a 9. What did Caspian have to offer that made Taehyung and Namjoon—who got a 10—want to protect him? Was he simply just manipulative? 

The lowest score Jungkook saw as the tributes came and went was a District 8 girl. She only got a 3. Poor girl must be scared to death—quite literally. But Jungkook tried to think about it positively. It was one less person that was a danger to Jimin. She'll probably die in the bloodbath—Jungkook could only hope her death was quick.

Soon enough District 10 came onto the screen. The girls were shown first, getting a 6, 7, and 5. It made sense. They were in one of the lower districts after all, no one expected them to get high scores. The other tribute boy got an 8.

When Jimin's face flashes across the screen—a candid shot just like everyone before—he looked beautiful. He was in his interview outfit, the one he was still wearing as they watched, and he was smiling. He looked happy...It made Jungkook's heart ache.

But Jimin got a 9. And thank God for that. Jungkook was happily surprised with the results, enough for the pain of Jimin's fake happiness to slowly ebb away.

But what Jungkook really didn't expect was the 10 that flashed on screen with his own smiling face. It was silent for a moment.

Then the room erupts.

"Oh we really do have a chance!" Hoseok cheers.

"Good going kid," Yoongi smiles softly and nods. "Tied for highest score of the night."

"I'm so proud of you, Koo," Jimin rubs his back. "You did so well."

And...Jungkook feels a swell of pride. He did well, he got a great score. Sure, it would put a target on his back, especially for some of the most skilled tributes, but it would scare the majority of his opponents. Jimin and Jungkook were two skilled, popular tributes. Almost no one would want to mess with them, not when Jimin and Jungkook could so easily kill them.

As the last District 12 score flashes on screen, Jungkook puts his fork down, finished with his meal. Others around him were doing the same, full and tired. Yoongi stands up.

"Alright, it's already getting late," Yoongi addresses them all. "You need to go to bed, this is your last night to get any good sleep...it may be your last night at all. Please, go to your rooms, get into something comfortable, and try to fall asleep. I know it will be hard, but please," He takes a deep breath, staring at them. "Try."

With that, Jimin and Jungkook leave together. Off to Jungkook's room again. As much as Jungkook wanted to listen to Yoongi, because he knew it was the smart thing to do...he also knew neither of them would be sleeping any time soon. And so, they just flop onto the bed. One after another.

Jimin turns to look at Jungkook. "I don't want to go to bed at all," He whispers. "I want to cherish my last few hours of safety."

Jungkook stares back. "But we should at least get into some comfortable clothes, right? So we can try to trick our bodies into becoming tired...we have to get some sleep tonight."

"I know," Jimin sits up. "You're right. Can I just take your clothes?"

"They're not mine," Jungkook does the same. "You can take whatever you want."

So Jimin does. He stands up, takes some comfortable clothes from the dresser, and goes into the bathroom to change. Jungkook changes quickly in his room as well, before Jimin comes back, and they sit on the bed again.

"We have to get good sleep, Mimmie," Jungkook tells him. "If we're tired, we won't have our guards up, and if we don't have our guards up, we'll die."

"You're right, I know you're right," Jimin sighs. "But I still don't want to go to bed just yet."

"And we don't have to," Jungkook rests his head on Jimin's shoulder. "We just can't stay up too late."

"It's already late," Jimin points out

"Still..."

"So...I know you said I did well on my interview," Jimin changes the subject. "But you did you like it?"

"It was so good, Mimmie. You did amazing," Jungkook looks down, smiling softly. He lifts his head again to stare at Jimin. "If people didn't already love you from your appearance, they're definitely going to love you now."

"Thanks," Jungkook almost missed the blush rising to Jimin's face. Maybe...no, it couldn't be. Jimin wouldn't hide his feelings for him if he had any, right? Obviously not—Jimin tells him everything. And besides, Jungkook knows Jimin. He'd know if he were hiding something. "You did so good too. Even better than I expected. To be honest...I thought you'd be really shy up there, but you seemed so confident."

"Please, you were much more confident than I was," Jungkook waves a hand.

"Sure, but it doesn't mean you weren't," Jimin shrugs earnestly, looking him in the eye. "I know you're not a people person, I know I'm your only friend. If...if your brother was still alive, I know we would have probably never become friends in the first place. But you still did so well. You owned the stage."

"We still would have become friends," Jungkook frowns. "I have to believe that. I...I wish my brother was still alive, of course I do...But I don't want to imagine a reality without you in my life."

"Well, we're in this reality," Jimin shrugs. "And you have me."

"And I have you," Jungkook repeats, inhaling. "I'm so glad to have you."

Jimin gives him a long stare. "...Me too."

And then they lay down together. And they talk some more, about trivial things, because they wanted to avoid the important matters, the hard subjects. But...Jungkook knew he couldn't hold it off all night. He had to talk to Jimin, he had to make sure they were on the same page.

"Jimin...I know this isn't fun to talk about, and I'm terrified, just as much as I'm sure you are, but," Jungkook exhales. "We have to make a plan for tomorrow."

The smaller male hesitates. "...Okay, you're right. What do you have in mind?"

"Well, when the buzzer sounds you have to run," Jungkook instructs. "I'll go to The Cornucopia and-"

"What? No!" Jimin interrupts. "You can't just run into the bloodbath! What if you get killed? You should run too. Your score isn't making you too confident, is it? Koo, your score is just a number. Someone could've very well gotten a low score on purpose to throw us off. I mean-"

"Jimin, it's not because of my score, okay?" Jungkook stops him. He purposely uses his real name—he needed to make sure Jimin knew he was serious. "One of us should go in there and get resources, we'll have a better chance of survival then. One of us needs to go in, and it won't be you."

"Excuse me?" Jimin raises his voice slightly. "I'm older than you, Jungkook. You have no right to tell me what to do."

"Like I said before, age does not matter! I-" Jungkook pauses for a minute. He has to think about his words carefully from here on out. He really didn't want to have an argument with the shorter right now. This could not be part of their last weeks, or days, or hours, together. "What I mean is, yes, you are older than me, and yes, I respect you as the older one. But, with all due respect—and you know I respect you more than almost anyone—I'm going into The Cornucopia. And you can't come with me, and you can't take my place. Because if you go in there, and get killed in the first few minutes, I'll kill myself too. So if you want me to live, then run."

"But why does it have to be you?" Jimin crosses his arms. "If you die, I'll kill myself too. What difference does it make?"

"You're kidding, right?" Jungkook furrows his eyebrows. "Jimin-"

"Stop using my name!" Jimin yells. "I get this is serious, don't make it worse!"

Jungkook's voice softens, suddenly much sadder than before. "Mimmie...I'm stronger, I can run faster, I'll be able to carry more. The smartest thing to do is for me to go in. I don't like thinking about this, you know I don't, but out of the two of us, when it comes to the bloodbath, I'm simply more likely to survive."

"...I'm not weak," Jimin glares at the ground.

"I'm not saying you are!" Jungkook was helpless. "Listen to me, please. There are other parts in The Games you will excel in, we both know that. We're both so strong, Mimmie, it's just..."

"...You're stronger," Jimin finally says. "You are stronger than I am...Fine. Fine you can go into that death trap. But if you die, I swear to God I'll never forgive you. Even after death I won't forgive you. You can't die in the bloodbath."

"Then I won't die in the bloodbath," Jungkook promises. "I will get out of there alive and find you."

"I'll find somewhere to hide, you'll come and fine me," Jimin nods. "And we'll be together again."

"Yes, good," He nods. "We'll be together, the entire time."

"Yeah," Jimin stares at the wall. "That's the only good part of the plan."

"Mimmie," Jungkook places his hands on top of Jimin's. "Are you okay? Look at me."

"Yeah, for now I'm okay," Jimin continues to look at the wall. "Just scared."

"Me too," Jungkook pulls Jimin into his embrace. "I think everyone is, except for maybe Caspian. He's insane."

"Yeah, he's scary..."

"But don't think about him," Jungkook rubs his back. "This is our last night to not think about anything. Just...try to calm down. Please..."

"I'm going to be dead soon..." Tears form in Jimin's eyes.

"No, no! Don't talk like that, Mimmie!" Jungkook pleads, pulling away. "Let's just go to bed. You don't have to think about it in your sleep."

"Okay...let's go to bed," Jimin sniffs. "I don't want to think anymore. I just...I just want to hold you."

"W-what?" Jungkook's face heats up a million degrees.

Jimin hesitates, looking down. "Well, we always end up in each other's arms anyways. So, so what if we just went to sleep..."

"In each other's arms?" Jungkook's face must be sweating at this point because it feels so hot.

"Yeah..."

"Will it help you feel better?" Jungkook asks him.

"Yeah, it will," Jimin nods bashfully. "I won't be as scared. And I'd rather you not be practically falling off the bed for my sake. Just...hold me instead."

"Oh, okay, yeah, I'd love to hold you," Jungkook holds his hands, heart pounding in his chest loudly. "If you want it, then I want it too."

"Good," Jimin breaks into a pained smile. "Good, let's go to bed then."

The lights were voice-activated, so the taller calls for them to be turned off. Both of them climb into the covers, scooting close to one another. Jungkook expected it to be awkward, because as comfortable as they were with one another, this was something completely new. However, Jimin just comes right up to him and wraps his arms around the younger's torso for dear life, closing his eyes. Jungkook panics momentarily, because this was what he had wanted for so long.

This was what he had wanted for so long...

With a deep breath, he relaxes, finally getting to do something he had always wished to do. He wraps his arms around the one he loves more than anyone, closing his own eyes as well.

Jimin's build was small, so he fit exactly into Jungkook's arms. He could still feel the older's muscles underneath his clothes, but he was tiny...just so adorable. Jungkook felt relaxed almost, to the point he was guilty for it. But he didn't care, because at that moment, he justified it.

He was protecting the man he loved most in the word.