"But it wasn't, because here I am, and here you are," Tears dot Jimin's eyes. "Because Yoongi figured out you were trying to end your life. So I convinced them to let me see you, so I could help fake your death and take you with me."

"To The Capital?" Jungkook murmurs. He was still crying, even through Jimin's story. He wouldn't—no, he couldn't let go of Jimin, not for a second. He wouldn't allow him to believe this was real, that Jimin was alive. He knew he was incredibly mentally exhausted...for all he knew, he had hallucinated the whole thing.

"Yes, to the Capital," Jimin nods. "I was wary at first, Koo, but I'm really happy to be there...I'm so glad I was chosen to be a part of this. I...I think we can make a difference. I'll tell you all about it, all I've done in the last three months."

"You've been alive for three months," Jungkook breathes. "I-I just can't believe that."

"I'm so sorry, Koo," Jimin moves his hands to cup Jungkook's face. "I wanted to be here for you. I watched every clip of you until you went back to District 10. I saw how you looked...I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry you felt that pain because of me. There wasn't a day I didn't think about you. I know I didn't even remotely go through the same amount of pain you did...I'm just so sorry you hurt so much that you didn't want to live."

"How could you ever think that was your fault?" Jungkook shakes his head, voice coarse. "How could you think I would ever be angry at you? Mimmie, y-you're alive...how could I be anything but overjoyed when I look at you?"

"W-well, you just seem so shocked..." Jimin trails. "I didn't know how you would feel when I came to you. I-I had hoped happy, but...it feels like I abandoned you."

"But I know you'd never do that," Jungkook stares at the smaller. "Why would I ever be upset at you?"

"I don't know," He whispers, looking down. "I was just so scared. Scared you were hurting every day, and then scared I wouldn't make it in time when Yoongi notified Hoseok...but you're alive. Koo...you and I are both alive, and we're together! I never thought it would happen again in my life...at least not for a long time."

"Me neither," Jungkook chokes. "Never."

The two stare at one another for just a moment, before Jimin leans in. Immediately Jungkook responds, and their lips meet.

The lips...they were so familiar, so wonderful. Jungkook had never kissed Jimin's lips outside of the arena. They were so soft now, obviously cared for substantially better than the older probably ever could have before—far different than the chapped pair that he came to know back in July.

But the way they moved was still Jimin. The shape of the lips, and the feeling of Jimin's crooked tooth against his tongue. It was a feeling Jungkook thought he would never experience again. And he relished in it.

"Hey," A soft voice comes from behind the pair. Jungkook pulls away to see a head of red hair. "I'm so utterly delighted for you two. But we don't have a lot of time. I knew you guys would need a few minutes, but we can't get caught."

Hoseok spoke so gently, with eloquence Jungkook was unfamiliar with coming from the typically perky Capitalite. He was at a bit of a loss for words, if he were honest.

"W-will you come with me?" Jimin stares at him softly. "You're not supposed to know I'm alive...but here I am. You'd have to leave behind everything...including your family. I'm so sorry you have to choose. I wish you didn't."

"I would have been dead by now if I didn't see you," Jungkook points out. "I'd be leaving my family either way. At least now I have you."

"Okay..." Jimin takes a deep breath. "I'm so sorry."

"I am too," Jungkook screws his eyes shut. "I'm being selfish. But I don't want to live this life anymore. Not without you."

Jimin kisses his cheek softly, then he and Jungkook stand up, and Jimin leads his lover to the door, where both Yoongi and Hoseok were waiting. They still would not let go.

"You need to follow my path exactly," Hoseok was wearing blacks and browns—it was jarring, in a way. Jungkook had never seen any less than three colors on the man at any given moment. "We really don't have a lot of time. Victoria is creating a cover story for why an unscheduled train came to District 10 as we speak. She's meeting with President Snow, it will all be cleared up, but the train will be departing at the top of the hour."

"Just stay in the shadows," Yoongi whispers. "And put your hood on. You really couldn't have dyed your hair before you came here?"

"Yoongi, I don't think you understand the time constraints of an emergency," Hoseok argues. "I am so sorry that I didn't expect your call yesterday. I would have scheduled my hair appointment around it, but alas, I got a touch-up yesterday instead."

"Sarcasm gets you nowhere," Yoongi warns with a small smile.

"Oh, you know I miss you every second we're apart," Hoseok teases. "And you miss me too."

"If only we could meet in less depressing circumstances," Yoongi plays along with a sarcastic tone.

The walk was fairly long. They couldn't use a car—that was far too suspicious in one of the lower districts. They ran when they could, but Jungkook was weak. He hadn't been eating—he was still incredibly skinny despite having more food he could have ever dreamed of as of recent. Jimin just holds his hand and patiently matches his pace.

Hoseok was slightly less patient. Of course they knew why—he was a Capitalite after all. He'd be more afraid of the repercussions they'd receive if they were caught. Jimin was just appreciative he came. He had so much more experience with The Capital than Jimin could have possibly learned in the past few months. He couldn't have pulled this off without him.

Finally they make it to the train platform. Jungkook hadn't seen it since he passed out, all those months ago. He woke up in his childhood bed that day, his parents watching over him.

That felt like a lifetime ago.

"My poor parents..." He whispers.

"I know," Jimin murmurs. "I miss my family too. I feel terrible for what I've had to put them through. But maybe one day we'll meet again. It's part of the reason I've decided to fight so hard. I was so skeptical at first, and scared. But it gets better. I never thought I'd see the day were it got better, but it does. For once in my life I'm filled with hope for the future."

"The way you speak now..." Jungkook trails, staring at him. "Mimmie, it's beautiful."

"O-oh," Jimin stutters, smiling softly. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," Jungkook nods. "It makes me so happy to hear you so hopeful. You were struggling so much in the arena...it hurt so much. Maybe life will have purpose again for me too."

"Yes!" Jimin whispers. "Absolutely."

"Let's go," Hoseok prompts, obviously trying to be calm, but ultimately failing at the task. "On the train. Say goodbye to Yoongi. You'll see him in nine months' time, don't worry."

Jungkook turns to his friend. "...Thank you for everything, Yoongi. Truly. I definitely wouldn't have made it this long without you. I would've been dead tonight if you weren't so attentive."

Yoongi smiles a small, but all the same genuine smile. "You know I love you, right Jungkook?"

The youngest nods rapidly. "I love you too."

He hugs Yoongi tightly. His former mentor pats his back softly, before pulling away.

Yoongi turns to Jimin. "Are you going to sass me next time we meet?"

"Oh," Jimin sighs playfully. "Only a bit. Only what you deserve."

Yoongi chuckles and hugs Jimin as well.

"Alright, let's go!" Hoseok says between his teeth. "This isn't goodbye forever!! Exchange notes if you must! Seokjin will find you a way to do it!"

He pushes Jimin and Jungkook through the now open train doors, and waves at Yoongi. Said male just waves back with another small laugh. Jimin was secretly relieved he seemed so calm throughout this ordeal.

The doors close behind them, and Hoseok leads them into the parlor car. "I worked hard to make sure you would get to travel in comfort," He sits down, opening a glass bottle of seltzer water. "It's what you two deserve, after all. Victoria originally wanted you to travel in a boxcar—a boxcar! I know we need to be discrete, but I wasn't going to accept anything but what you guys needed. I apologize it's not as luxurious as what you two are used to from the Capital, but..."

"Hoseok, it's okay," Jimin stops him. "This is perfect. More than perfect. I'd be perfectly fine with a boxcar as long as Jungkook is alive."

"...Well fine, if you think so," He takes a sip, cracking a smile. "You can't take the Capitalite out of me, you know. I'm still learning."

"You're doing great," Jimin assures. "I think I can speak for both Jungkook and I when I say all we want right now is to sit, and rest, and catch up."

Jungkook just nods in agreement.

Jimin sees how tired his lover is. He leads him to a couch. It's soft—they sink into the cushions, sliding down next to each other, as close as humanly possible. Jungkook could fall asleep right then and there. It was only the fear that Jimin wouldn't be there when he woke up that kept him from drifting off.

"I suppose I'll leave you alone for now then," Hoseok stands with his bottle. "Your room is two cars down if you choose to sleep. We should be at The Capital before daybreak."

"We'll probably sleep when we get back," Jimin answers for the both of them. "You have a good rest."

And then, for the first time in months, since before The Games Jimin and Jungkook were alone.

"Talk to me," Jimin murmurs. "Tell me everything you're thinking, everything you're feeling. I know it's a lot, and I know you've probably been through so much since we've last seen one another...I don't know, Koo...you know I just want to know everything about you, always."

"It was hell," Jungkook stares at him. "Nothing but hell. I don't even know what happened in these last three months. I don't think time existed."

"Oh Koo..." Jimin furrows his eyebrows deeply.

"Maybe if I didn't have Yoongi I'd have been dead for a while by now," His voice was practically inaudible, but Jimin could understand nonetheless. "He checked in on me every day. I think he worked really hard to keep me alive. He saved my life, probably more than once...I'm indebted to so many people...I'm indebted to you."

"Just love me," Jimin kisses his head. "That's all I want from you."

Jungkook's eyes dart back and forth between the smaller's. "Well that takes no effort at all."

Jimin's smile was just beautiful—warm, and loving, and a perfect representation of everything good on this earth. "Well I want nothing more. Just you, with me, for the rest of our lives."

The younger's eyes become dewy. "I really thought that wasn't going to be an option for me."

"Me neither," Jimin takes a deep breath, trying to ward off the tears dotting his own eyes. "I was trying so hard to be at peace knowing you were alive and okay."

"But I wasn't," Jungkook leans in. "I'd never be okay without you."

"Don't say that..." Jimin tries to shake his head.

"It's true," He insists. "I wouldn't ever want to live in a world without you in it."

Jimin doesn't say anything else, closing the small gap between them, and kissing him for the second time that night. Once again, Jungkook relishes in the new, but familiar all the same feeling. He closes his eyes, inhaling slowly. He needed every one of his senses to be in abundance of Jimin.

Jungkook kisses Jimin until he can no longer ignore the absence of air in his lungs, and he parts from him. He opens his eyes, staring at Jimin's pink lips, darker than they were before they danced with Jungkook's.

That was the first time he got to kiss the man he loved without any worries or interruptions.

"I fell apart thinking about you with someone else," Jimin confesses. "It was nothing near what you were going through, of course, but...I wanted you to be happy so bad. And I thought perhaps that would mean you finding someone else, since I was gone. I would have wanted you to be happy more than anything...but it would mean letting you go. Koo...I'm just so glad I didn't have to let you go."

"I'm so glad you've risen from the dead," And this time the tears fall down Jungkook's face. He pulls Jimin in, embracing him, as tight as he possibly could. No longer would he have to worry about Jimin's wounds, or hold him knowing their time was limited. No...this was permanent. This was stable.

This was wonderful.

Jungkook changes the subject, squeezing his eyes shut as he prepares for the answer to the question that had been on his mind since he heard Jimin's story. "...Mimmie?"

"Yeah?" Jimin stares right at him, as attentive as ever.

"I-I know it's a long shot," Jungkook starts. "But...Junghyun? Is he alive somehow?"

"Oh, Koo..." Jimin tilts his head to the side, sorry. "I asked the second I could, you know I did. But he was stabbed repeatedly. The Capital's medicine seems like magic...but there was only so much they could do."

Jungkook huffs out a big sigh. "...I knew that would be the case. I knew it. Since my parents saw his body, and you would have told me if he was...I knew it. But I had to ask..."

"Of course," Jimin validates. "Though Seokjin told me he was a contender. They tried to save him, they really did...there were no candidates from his year besides him, so no one from his year is working in the movement."

"...I guess that makes it a bit better," Jungkook tries to smile, but the tears continue regardless. "Knowing he was seen as worthy in a place where he was treated as nothing but an animal."

Jimin nods. "I agree. They took notes of all the people they considered, you know. I'm sure Jin will help us find Junghyun's notes if that's what you'd like someday. He's very high up, he can kind of do what he pleases."

"I...I think I'd like that," Jungkook looks down. "Someday."

Jimin kisses him again. "And I'll be by your side whenever you're ready for that."

"I know," Jungkook acknowledges right away. "That's something I'll never have to worry about again..."

For a while, they didn't say anything at all. There would be plenty of time to catch up when their adrenaline had subsided, and the shock had worn off. Jimin knows Jungkook doesn't believe what was going on was real yet—he can still read the boy like a book. And he was okay with waiting as long as it took—the silence didn't bother him a bit. The best relationships were the ones where the two could comfortably sit in silence, after all. Not an awkward second exists between them.

Later on into the trip, Jungkook—who was previously nodding off, but not yet asleep—comes to his senses once again, and starts touching Jimin all over. He was still groggy, and delirious from grief, so his movements were sluggish and sloppy, but Jimin stayed still while Jungkook littered innocent touches all around his body.

As if he still was trying to figure out if this was real, he brushes his fingers through the older's hair. He cups his face, before tracing his jawline with an index finger. He did the same with Jimin's collarbones, lingering for a while, back, and forth, and back, and forth.

He moves to Jimin's arms, squeezing them ever so softly. Jimin could feel how much strength he had lost—it was gone during The Games, and he had never recovered the muscle mass he once had. And then down to Jimin's hands. They had held hands for a while now, so Jungkook moves on from them quickly, but not before squeezing the hands softly.

Next, he reaches for his waist, inching his cashmere sweater up just a bit, and holding his bare body, skin meeting skin. Jimin shivers under his touch, but he still says nothing. He keeps his hands on the smaller's waist for a while, longer than any part of Jimin's body. Jungkook had never said it out loud, but since learning about how Jungkook felt, Jimin noticed how the younger fixated on his waist. He had watched clips of the two of them from before The Games to cope with him missing his lover. Jungkook was always staring at his waist.

After a while, his hands slide down to Jimin's thighs, and that was where he left his healed left hand for the rest of the ride. Every once and a while, Jimin would grab it, playing with his fingers softly, but it would always go back right where it was. No one could separate them ever again, it would be fruitless to even try.

The first traces of dawn appear just as the train pulls into the Capital station.

At this point, Jungkook had fallen asleep on Jimin's shoulder hours ago. He saw how hard the younger fought to stay awake—and he'd be lying if he said he didn't find it a bit cute. He rested his head on Jimin's shoulder, snoring ever so softly. That was always how Jimin could tell he was resting well. It was only when he was in deep sleep that Jungkook snored.

But he wakes him up gently, rubbing his arm and kissing his face all over. The taller was so skinny...it was just so obvious how little Jungkook had been eating. Jimin takes a deep breath. He would have plenty of time to do so from now on. Jimin would make sure he took care of himself.

Jungkook raises his head, groggy. He blinks his eyes several times, looking at Jimin. "I-it wasn't a dream..." He breathes.

"It wasn't," Jimin assures. "This is a life you don't have to wake up from."

Jungkook once again throws his arms around Jimin. Oh how the older missed his favorite person's hugs.

Hoseok walks back into the room. "Oh you lovebirds, so darling, truly! But I'm afraid I must break up this delightful little moment. We need to move quickly. A cab is waiting for us."

Jimin pulls away and stands up. He grabs the younger's hand, and helps him to his feet. "Are you ready?"

"...I don't know," Jungkook stares earnestly. "But I know I'm going to be okay. As long as I'm with you, I'll be okay."

"You're stronger than you'll ever understand," Jimin smiles at him warmly.

And they leave the train hand in hand.

Last time the pair had stepped onto the platform together, there were crowds, and cameras, and four other tributes. Now those four were dead, and the silence was the loudest noise in the area.

Jimin remembers how he had to fake his smile, holding Jungkook's hand, pretending he was excited for the experience that awaited them. He remembers how angry he was in that moment. But now all he feels is hollow peace.

Was it unwarranted? Sure. The Hunger Games went on, children would still die, districts would still starve, the movement could be found out at any time.

But Jimin was with Jungkook now. And with Jungkook, Jimin felt he could do anything.

They had survived an arena designed to kill them. They outlasted seventy others who now mostly reside in the grave. Jimin even cheated death—he and Jungkook were alive, and together at that!

Jimin couldn't help but smile.

Jungkook turns his head, and their eyes lock.

And Jungkook smiles too.

And it wasn't for the cameras. It wasn't to gain favor with the swooning Capital citizens, or sponsors, or whoever else they may have benefited from. It was for Jimin, and Jimin alone.

Once on this platform staring death in the eye, now they stand tall, a new chance at life on the horizon. It was foreign, it was odd—Jungkook was terrified.

But he had Jimin.

Jimin squeezes his hand. "I love you, Koo."

"I love you, Mimmie," Jungkook's heart swells with warmth, once again reminded he'd get to say those words for the rest of his life.

They walk off the platform together.