Jimin will be dead soon.

There were only eight tributes left in the arena, including Jimin and Jungkook. It was only a matter of time. There were less tributes to hide behind now—they were approaching the end of The Games. The timer on his life was about to ring.

Since Jungkook had been reaped alongside him, he had known he was going to die. Of course, he assumed he was going to die anyways, but the moment Jungkook's name was called, he knew his fate was sealed.

He was so proud of himself that he had made it this far. Idealistically, he wanted to get here, but he wasn't incredibly sure of himself. Coming face to face with death in the arena so many times really didn't help with that. He was almost killed just moments after The Games began. Caspian was so close to torturing him to death. It was hardly skill that got him this far.

Luck was part of it, sure. But Jimin believes that raw determination was the biggest factor at play.

Raw determination to get Jungkook back home alive.

Once again, it was quiet. The Capitalites were likely still recovering from the wild fight the day before. The sun was setting on the fourteenth day of The Games. Jimin and Jungkook had been here for two weeks...had it really only been two weeks? Jimin has seen enough—experienced enough despair to last him multiple lifetimes. But there was still more despair to be had...more children had to die so Jungkook could win.

Jimin was starting to wish things would just end.

At least when he was dead, he wouldn't be hurting anymore.

Jimin doesn't know what he believes about the afterlife. He would like to think he'll feel no negative emotions, a sort of reward for enduring all the suffering to be had on earth. He hopes he won't miss Jungkook...or even see how he's doing on Earth. It was selfish, but...he just doesn't want to acknowledge the fact that his death will hurt Jungkook. He wants to leave the world behind, and reunite with Jungkook when he was happy again.

It hurts...it just does. He wanted to grow old by Jungkook's side. And now Jungkook will grow old without him. Selflessly, he hopes Jungkook finds someone else to love. He wants Jungkook to be as happy as he can be. He wants him to get over the older's death, and live a fulfilled, comfortable life, not having to work a day because of the riches he's acquired from winning The Games.

But...but at his core, Jimin is selfish. He wants to be the one to grow old with Jungkook. He wants to be the love of his life. The thought of Jungkook loving someone who isn't him...it shatters Jimin's heart into a thousand pieces.

And Jimin shouldn't be jealous. Because he knew he was Jungkook's number one choice. And he knew none of these feelings would exist once he was dead—probably. But he couldn't help it. He just loves Jungkook so much. He was just selfish that way.

Selfish for Jungkook. Only selfish for Jungkook.

He slides his hand into his pants pocket, delicately touching one of the knives that have made its home in the folds of his clothes. And then he looks at Jungkook, the beautiful boy walking next to him, eyes forward, scanning his surroundings.

Dying doesn't seem so bad anymore.

*

Four more days pass, and only one tribute dies. Jungkook wasn't even sure how he did.

He wasn't sure how most of the tributes had died...but he doesn't want to know. Why would he? He's not a Capitalite—he has empathy.

Now, the only tributes left were a girl from Three, a boy from Five, a girl from Six, a boy from Seven, a girl from Eight, Jimin, and Jungkook. That's only seven...less than ten percent of the original number.

The days were dragging on. Why were the Gamemakers letting it happen? This couldn't be entertaining, watching seven tributes just...walk around. It scared Jungkook. Were they planning something big? What were they telling the people on the outside?

Jungkook looks over at his favorite person in the world and...it was devastating. Jimin has become so thin. They never had that much to eat back in District 10, but they were doing well enough. Jimin's cheeks were perpetually soft and squishy, even when they had less food than usual.

Those cheeks were gone now.

There were bags under his eyes, he just looked tired. His collarbones were protruding like never before—he was just bonier in general. The muscles that used to hug his small frame were no longer as easily visible. He was just so much weaker than the boy that entered this arena...

But only a few days more. He only had to endure a few days more. If Jimin was able to push through, he could be delivered from this hell once and for all.

Jungkook softly grabs Jimin's hand. They were dry, and calluses were starting to form on the once-soft tips, but they were warm. He feels those warm hands hold his back. They were alive...Jimin was alive. That was good enough for Jungkook for now.

"Should we hunt again today?" Jimin asks. "I know we have more food now, but..."

They had gotten a bit from the packs they took from the Careers, but it was honestly a little bit disappointing. A lot of the bags were nearly empty—of both food, and other useful supplies. It was almost as if the Careers had been carrying the bags around to look more skilled, more prepared to those outside of their group, with more abundant resources than the rest of the tributes. But they had even less than Jimin and Jungkook did. There was hardly any food, but it was better than nothing. They took what they needed and abandoned the rest.

"Maybe if it gets a bit warmer," Jungkook advises. "I'm sure more animals will be out if that's the case."

Jimin nods. "Okay-"

"Attention tributes," The announcement is jarring. Jungkook jumps. Jimin immediately places a hand on his arm, comforting him silently. "Congratulations on making it this far into The Games. You all are truly the cream of the crop! In five minutes, the rain forest regions, as well as all regions beyond will be closed off. If you decide to remain in those regions after those five minutes are up, you will be eliminated. Good luck tributes, and may the odds be ever in your favor."

The couple stare at each other.

"We need to find cover," Jimin gets it out first.

Jungkook nods, having thought the exact same thing. Someone could run out at any moment. They hide like animals, like so many times previously in the past eighteen days. They crouch in the bushes, leaned up against each other, holding their breath, hoping no tribute would come their way, shooting out of the humid region.

But five minutes pass. They don't hear even the scuffling of small animals. They stay in place for a long time, but no one appears.

No canons go off either. Everyone made it out alive.

After a while, Jimin stands. He steps forward, taking a small stone, and tossing it towards the jungle region. An electric field becomes apparent before them, a zapping sound as the rock passes through. In seconds, the stone gets shot back towards them, over their heads, proving how unsafe the area has now become. Jimin stares out at the closed-off region in dismay, sighing a large sigh, running his hands over his face.

"It's gone," His voice is raspy. "Our water source...it's gone."

Jungkook takes a deep breath, standing up with him. "We'll figure it out, Mimmie. There are springs in the forest region, remember? We will be fine. For now, we'll just be extremely sparing with our water. We've made it this far, we'll adapt just like we have so many times already."

"I know..." Jimin screws his eyes shut. "It's just so hard."

"...I know," Jungkook doesn't even try to sugarcoat it anymore. "It is. But we're so close to the end. We have to keep going."

"I'm not quitting," Jimin shuts the thought down quickly, staring at him. "I'm going to keep fighting, Koo. Quitting isn't an option for me. Not when I can see the end on the horizon. I can taste how close it is, Koo. I promise I'm not quitting."

"O-okay," The intensity took Jungkook aback. "I'm glad you feel that way. I won't quit either."

"Good," Jimin nods once, eyes not wavering. "Let's keep going."

"Let's..." Jungkook leans in, kissing his cheek.

Jimin just nods again.