Jimin sits silently in the darkness, a dark-haired acquaintance at his side. Taehyung sits sort of close. If Jimin reached his arm out, he could touch the middle of his chest, that was about how close he was. It wasn't too unsettling. Jimin trusted Taehyung to some degree.

The District 1 career was still recovering from his illness. There would probably be medicine at the feast for him. His breathing was raspy, and he coughed softly every few minutes. It worried Jimin—he was terrified someone would hear the coughing and ambush them. But it has been quiet all night—Jungkook had nothing to report either. So all Jimin could do was hope luck was on his side for one night more.

He looks at the floor, thinking. Then he looks at Taehyung, hesitating, mouth opening slightly. "Why..." He starts in a whisper. The taller looks up, and their eyes meet. Jimin takes a deep breath. "Why did you wish me good luck? Good luck for what?"

"Oh," His deep voice cuts through the night. "Just because...I just wanted to make up for all the things Caspian said. It was obvious how much he scared you."

Jimin huffs out an incredulous laugh. "Wow. Thanks. Are all you careers as blunt as you and Namjoon?"

"I didn't mean it like that," Taehyung sighs. Up close, he was so much more vulnerable than the District 10 tribute would have expected. He was shy, and sad...it surprises Jimin. Careers don't get sad like this. Jimin wouldn't be surprised if this was how Taehyung was long before he ever got reaped. Jimin had a lot of struggles in his life, but at least he had patches of happiness. The smaller didn't get that same feeling from Taehyung. "I just meant it made me upset the way Caspian used the things he said and did as fear tactics. I...I hated him. I wanted you to beat him."

"You don't know me at all," Jimin notes.

"I learn a lot just by watching," Taehyung shrugs. "I watched everyone. I liked you best. If I weren't in this, I'd root for you."

"What?" The career spoke in short sentences. And every single one of those sentences confused Jimin. "Why me?"

"You have a lot of traits that I wish I had," He says simply.

"Oh..." Jimin trails.

Taehyung doesn't elaborate.

Jimin starts again. "Thank you for that, then. And thank you for standing up for me. I'm sorry you got hurt for me."

"I chose to do it," Taehyung deflects. "It wasn't your fault."

"I'm sorry we're competitors," Jimin murmurs. "But I don't fear death. If it was up to me, we'd both be dead soon. I need Jungkook to win."

He feels a pit of anxiety in his stomach. Should he be telling his rival this? What if Taehyung uses this info to kill Jungkook? After all, if Jungkook died, Jimin would kill himself. Anyone could see that. Killing Jungkook would be killing both of them.

But...as he looks at Taehyung, he realizes he does trust him. Taehyung seems to be sure of his morals. That was a good sign to Jimin.

"Maybe...maybe if we both die, we'll become friends in the afterlife," Taehyung looks up at the stars. "I'd like that."

"Oh," Jimin can't help but smile softly. "Me too."

"Let's work hard today," Taehyung says quietly, coughing once more. "Let's get what we need."

"Yes," Jimin agrees, nodding firmly. "Let's."

Jimin doesn't know how long it is before the first signs of sunrise appear in the sky. He and Taehyung exchange a glance, before alerting their partners. Jungkook is only groggy for a second before he gets to work, packing up their things, eating and drinking just a bit.

He moves slower than usual because of his hand. It reminds Jimin exactly why he's doing this. Jungkook needs that hand. Whatever is at The Cornucopia for District 10 is for Jungkook's hand, he knows it.

"How are you feeling?" Jimin murmurs to his lover.

"I'm so nervous," He admits into his ear so the other two don't hear. "You have to stay safe, okay?"

"I'll be with you," Jimin reminds. "As long as we're together we'll be fine. We have a plan."

"I know..." He whispers. "We'll be okay. Love you."

"I love you too," Jimin pecks his lips softly. "We'll make it through another day. The feast will be over before you know it."

He says it for himself too. He can't show Jungkook he's nervous, or else he'll focus too much on Jimin during the feast. The stronger Jimin looks, the more at ease Jungkook will feel. Jimin knows this. And so he gives Jungkook a small smile.

"We are so prepared," Jimin stares at him. "We go in quickly, get what we need, get out, and then go from there. Got it?"

"Got it," The smile seems to put Jungkook at ease. Jimin looks away, taking a deep breath. It was better this way.

"You guys are adorable," Namjoon chuckles softly. "So you were just lying to Caesar or?"

"I legitimately didn't know," Jungkook huffs out a laugh. "But I'm glad I do now. I'm glad I know Jimin loves me just as I love him."

Jimin's heart fills with bitter warmth. They really didn't have much more time together.

The four boys soon had everything rounded up and were ready to go. The rising sun gave them just enough light to see a few feet in front of them. They walk silently—that was part of the plan. Outside of the clearing, they would not speak. They were to be as quiet as humanly possible so they would not get detected outside of The Cornucopia.

Jimin stares at Jungkook as he walks. And then he grabs his hand.

Jungkook looks at his lover and squeezes his hand, a silent reassurance. Jimin nods. They've got this, they really do.

They would come out of this alive and better for it.

*

The Cornucopia is silent. Not even the wind stirred the leaves overlooking the large clearing. Jungkook looks over at his lover. The rising sun hit his face just right, even his dark hair was glowing. He was just plain beautiful.

He stares at the clearing in front of him. Everything was already set out for them, untouched. It must have been set up this morning while it was still dark. There was a bag labeled for each district...not for each individual tribute. So those who still have other existing tributes in their districts will have to fight over the resources.

The four boys look at one another. It was much too quiet.

Surely there were tributes that camped out the night before in order to get their equipment at dawn? Careers at least must have been bold enough to do so. Why hadn't anything been touched?

"I think we should go for it," Namjoon murmurs. "Before it gets overpopulated."

"But there are definitely people here," Jimin notes.

"Yeah, but there's going to be more soon," Namjoon points out. "This is probably the best opportunity we have."

Jungkook sighs. "You're probably right. But we need to be looking out. Stay incredibly quiet."

Taehyung nods in agreement.

"You guys know where to meet if we separate," Namjoon looks at each of them. "Alright...let's go."

They get into formation. Jimin and Taehyung stay together, while Jungkook and Namjoon stay on the outside, slightly behind the first pair, scanning their surroundings quickly. They move at the same pace, walking quickly, but not running, their feet low to the ground. No one disturbs them yet.

Jungkook's heart pounds out of his chest. It was going way too well. Where were the other tributes? He scans the area, but he can't see or hear anyone. They might get out of here without a hitch...they might get to come and go easily.

They just about reach the center of the clearing, where the valuable items were laid out neatly. Just a couple more steps...

Jungkook hears the rustling of the leaves a second too late.

The spear pierces through Taehyung's abdomen.

He falls, and Jungkook screams, "Jimin, go!"

Chaos breaks as multiple tributes begin sprinting towards them. With one last look at Jimin, Jungkook springs into action. Most of the tributes were careers, there were probably about half a dozen of them. Jungkook's eyes dart quickly between them all.

They have to get out of here.

A canon goes off as the first tribute approaches—Taehyung was dead. Jungkook doesn't have time to be upset, he just swings at the first tribute that comes his way. His axe makes contact with the female tribute's sword with a loud clang. With a grunt, Jungkook flexes his arms, shoving her down. While she's on the ground, Jungkook turns around. Jimin has the District 10 bag.

"Let's go!" He calls. Namjoon had snagged his bag too.

"That's mine!" A female career screams—probably a District Two tribute. She charges at Namjoon, and tackles him down. They scuffle on the ground, rolling over each other. The girl swings a knife and Namjoon. She gets him once in the side.

Jungkook wanted to help, panicked for the tribute he just became friends with, but a different tribute was approaching him already. He strikes him down. A canon goes off seconds later.

Jungkook grabs Jimin's wrist and runs, swiftly dodging another tribute. They run in zig zags—something they practiced beforehand. It was harder to aim at a constantly moving target. Another canon goes off, and then another. Before getting back into the shelter of the trees, four people are dead. No one is chasing them...why is no one chasing them!?

"Mimmie, let's climb a tree," Jungkook suggests as they keep running. "I'm worried we're going to run into a trap. I don't think all the careers were there." He swings his axe into a nearby tree, lodging it into the trunk. "Climb," He orders. Jimin steps onto the axe handle, and grabs the branch closest to him, hauling himself up.

Jungkook gives his lover the larger bag before following him, taking the axe out of the tree, and grabbing onto Jimin's extended arm. He pulls himself up next to the smaller and puts the backpack back on. He tries to use his left hand as little as possible through the process, but searing pain still runs through the whole limb whenever he absolutely must utilize it.

"We need to move to a different tree," Jimin stares at him, eyes intense. "They'll see the axe mark. The trees are close. We can jump."

"Good idea," Jungkook nods. Another canon goes off. Jimin shudders. "Come on. Let's go over here. There's a sturdy branch right there, do you see it? Let's move a couple trees down."

Jimin starts maneuvering through the branches. "That's what I was thinking too."

They hop from one tree to another like squirrels. It was difficult, and it was definitely terrifying, but Jimin and Jungkook both manage. Jimin, actually, was quite graceful as he jumped from tree to tree. Jungkook wouldn't have expected anything less from him, if he were being honest. Even unintentionally, the way Jimin carried himself was always so beautiful.

After a few jumps, they decided they were safe for the time being. That, and Jungkook didn't want to risk falling any longer. He'd be up here to survive, but he was not made for the trees.

Now that they had time to sit still and focus on other things, Jungkook realized he could still hear conflict in the cornucopia. People were still fighting...they really got lucky there. But Jungkook's heart aches all the same.

"Namjoon..." Jungkook murmurs. "I wanted to help him, but there were just too many people...what if he dies because I didn't help him?"

"What if you died trying?" Jimin whispers. "I wish Taehyung didn't die...I really did like him. But it happened. Maybe...maybe it's better we didn't get any closer. Maybe it's better they die now so we don't have to meet them later. I don't want to be the reason they died...I want to reunite with them someday as friends, even if it's not in this life."

Jungkook squeezes his good fist. "Ugh, I hate this stupid game!" A tear escapes his eye.

"Shh, calm down, Koo," Jimin touches his arm. "I know...I know how you feel. But we're here. People that could've been our friends in a different life are our enemies. I don't want it to be this way, I still want to work hard to remember the dead...but you need to put yourself first. You have to remember your number one priority."

Jungkook stares at the man he loves most in the world. His number one priority. "...I know. I know."

"Let's just try to distract ourselves," Jimin's voice is soft.

How was he so out of it just days ago? Jungkook got hurt once, and Jimin sprang into action. Now he's comforting, nurturing, clear-headed. Jungkook was really happy to have him back, regardless of what it took for him to get there.

Jimin opens the bag from The Feast, and inside—like expected—was topical burn medicine. "Give me your hand," Jimin instructs. Jungkook does so.

The medicine was a light cream. Jimin, after unwrapping the younger's wound, takes some of the cream, and rubs gently it onto Jungkook's hand. Immediate relief follows, to the point Jungkook lets out a deep breath he didn't even know he was holding in. It wasn't completely healed, of course, but it was a marginal improvement. The sensitivity and tenderness that once plagued his left hand almost completely melted away in seconds.

"That's so much better," Jungkook closes his eyes, making a noise of relief.

"See? I knew it would be worth it," Jimin kisses his other hand. "I knew you needed it, Koo. This is going to help you so much."

"Thank you for convincing me," Jungkook whispers. "It was worth it...it was."

"Good," Jimin looks at him. "I had hoped it was."

Jimin then moves to rewrap Jungkook's hand. He does gently, but it was far less painful than it ever was before he had the medicine. The pair both stare at the younger's left hand.

Halfway through the rewrapping they hear running.

The footsteps are loud and uneven. The undergrowth rustles as if pushed back carelessly, unconcerned with who heard them. Jimin and Jungkook freeze in place, staring at one another with wide eyes. Jungkook peers down.

The figure slows, right under the pair, stumbling clumsily. He was covered in blood, coughing. The tribute falls to his knees. Jungkook gasps softly.

"Namjoon..." He breathes.

The District 2 career thumps onto the ground, heaving shallow breaths. He had obviously had a terrible beating. There were scratches and slashes everywhere on his body, but the worst of them was a single prominent stab wound right under his chest, probably piercing his lungs. Jungkook's heart constricts in his chest. How was he even still alive after that wound was inflicted?

He wanted to look away, but he couldn't stop staring. Namjoon...Jungkook was watching Namjoon die! Namjoon, who just wanted to be something beyond himself, and his parents' name. Who just wanted his life to mean something...but it all now felt like nothing. Namjoon was dying for nothing. Nothing except the entertainment of filthy rich scum. Jungkook's chest hardens. They were all just scum.

In a moment of twisted fate, Namjoon looks up, and his gaze meets Jungkook. The career forces a smile, it obviously taking so much effort from him, but doing so nonetheless. His breathing was getting worse...he doesn't have much time left.

'Win,' He mouths, Jungkook knows that was what he said. 'Win, Jungkook.'

His eyes become unfocused, staring down at the ground. With one last heave, he stills. Tears flood Jungkook's eyes.

Jimin comforts him, but the taller was unfocused. It was so unfair! Namjoon had a future! Sure, it was unfulfilling in the career's eyes, but it was something. Now he has nothing. He was just another victim to The Games.

Jungkook screws his eyes shut, tears falling out of his eyes and down his face. There was going to be so much more pointless death in this terrible arena.