A/N: As you can tell (the chapter title is a giveaway), this is a big chapter. Although it's far from the longest, there's a lot of juice. Just take a second and prepare yourself. This chapter is going to wreck you, and you might block me (pls don't). But it's okay. You can do it. I believe in you. Enjoy the ride...

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓣𝓪𝓵𝓮 𝓞𝓯 𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓙𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓷 ˚｡➶˚┊

Park hated waiting.

His leg bounced up and down as he sat on a rock near the rendezvous point. The train was supposed to come from those tracks. They were right in front of him. The train would pop up, and they'd have more money than they knew what to do with. He made sure Shadow and her friends had as much storage as possible for the gold. He checked over a dozen times. Yet he couldn't stop checking and double-checking and triple-checking. It was as if he couldn't get out of the loop until the train arrived.

Although he didn't want to admit it, he knew it had been too long. It had been almost an hour since Park assigned them first patrol. The mission was supposed to take half an hour at most. There were a million reasons why they could be delayed: the train could be taking longer than usual, the EMP knocked out the train, they had everything under control so they were getting more loot than originally thought, or anything else. Somehow, Park's mind went to the worst options.

Park checked on Shadow one last time, seeing her friends all lined up. Some were brown, others were red. None of them had the same thick black coat that Shadow did. He rubbed behind her ears, booping her nose as if that'd make him feel better. There were five Leekas including Shadow. Y/n, as always, rode with Park. There were more Leekas at the stables, but he chose five. Not only to make it less suspicious, but also so Y/n could ride with him. He didn't know why, but it felt wrong to ride Shadow without her.

Park managed to get back to the rendezvous point. Right as he sat down, he heard the wind pick up. He got blasted by a chunk of air. Next, he heard creaking. Like the tracks were creaking. They rocked back and forth, Park standing and rushing over.

A beat later, a train came out of the mouth of the cave. It was massive, towering over Park despite how it only had two cars. It slowed to a stop, hitting the barrier at the end of the tracks and causing a giant dent to form on the head.

The thick metal doors clanged as they slid open, revealing Jaime. He fell over, blood pouring from his shoulder and hip. Park knelt and tried to help, but he knew the man was dying. They were too far from Flerry. He could do a makeshift tourniquet, but he didn't know the state of the other rebels. As much as Park knew it was selfish, he had to put them above Jaime.

Jungkook came out after Jaime, moving away from the crates and piles of gold waiting for them. Park glanced around, noticing how the train was empty. No sign of Tana, Aisha, or Captain Jung. And, much more importantly.

No sign of Y/n.

Park didn't realize his eyes were burning with tears until he opened his mouth to speak. "Where... where is she?" he asked, his voice cracking. Jungkook was in a similar state as him. Water poured down Jungkook's face, his hands covered in blood.

"Park, I tried to save her-"

"Where the fuck is she?!"

"She's in the bunker. She told us to run. I'm sorry."

Park peered at the man across from him. Time slowed down. The wind became an afterthought even as it kissed his skin. His flesh felt as though it had shriveled in on itself. A swarm of nausea crept up his tongue and toyed with his gut. He staggered back, his clammy hands grasping at the sides of his armor. He refused to cry. He didn't let the tears fall.

Instead, he picked up his rifle.

"Park, what the hell are you-"

"Tourniquet his wounds. Get the gold to the Leekas. I'll be back in fifteen minutes. If you load up everything before I get back, leave without me. He needs medical care immediately, get him back as soon as possible," Park interrupted, checking to make sure his rifle was loaded.

"This is suicide! The bunker is overrun with-"

"Is she alive?"

Jungkook went quiet. "I don't know. She was in the vault when she told us to-"

"Get the gold to the Leekas and tourniquet his wounds. And while you're at it, stop wasting my time."

"But what about your position!" Jungkook shouted, stopping Park in his tracks. "If you do this, you can't hide from the cameras. You can't hide anymore, it'll be revealed that you're the spy!"

Park set his jaw. "I don't care."

He ignored Jungkook's pleas as he ran. Park had never sprinted so fast in his life. The time didn't occur to him as he went back to the bunker. It was supposed to be too far. They weren't supposed to go back. The train was their only way out. That didn't stop Park from increasing his pace.

He passed a very confused Namjoon, rushing inside the bunker. There were guards in his way. He threw them to the ground, yelling orders about getting to the wall to solve the EMP crisis. He hoped that'd keep them away from the vault.

"Get out of my way, I'll handle the vault," Commander Park said, the two men guarding the elevators backing off right away. Park entered and immediately went to the vault, fiddling with his rifle and making sure the safety was off. Every second felt agonizing. The elevator lights flashed the deeper he went, Park's throat dry and his tongue swollen. It was as though he was floating in a surreal dream. Like he was in one of the books he read.

The elevator stopped, creaking as it did. He waited. One second. Two. It seemed like hours. Then, the door slid open, and he was met by two guards holding their rifles up at him.

"Excuse me?" Park asked, the guards lowering their weapons right away.

"I'm so sorry, sir," one said, the two bowing their heads in apology.

He saw men closing in on the vault, their weapons raised. "Get up to the wall and help the others handle the EMP. I'll take it from here," Park said. The guards agreed and entered the elevator, leaving. That meant Park wouldn't get flanked from behind. "Lower your weapons!"

The men instantly did, Park traveling down the stairs. There were ten men there. Half of them turned to face Park while the other half kept their eyes on the vault.

"What is the meaning of this?" Park asked, not hiding the anger in his tone.

"Sir, two rebels are inside. We need to execute them for treason. They are armed and dangerous-"

As if on cue, Hoseok peeked out from cover and shot the man in the head. The guard fell over, blood squirting out of his head. Park's boots got soaked in it as he stepped over the body. The nine remaining guards fired away, closing the distance. They were seconds away from taking Hoseok's life.

Park didn't let them.

He opened fire. The surprise attack caused Park to gain the upper hand right away. The guards were killed before they had the chance to respond. Even if they had the chance, they wouldn't. Attacking a higher-up was forbidden. They'd be too confused to fight back out of fear for their lives.

The silence clamped on Park's chest and forced his heart to suffocate with terror. He swung the rifle around himself, moving closer to the vault. He saw blood everywhere. He couldn't tell who it belonged to, or if it was worth finding out. His boots squished in the substances as the lights flickered above him. The tracks were empty, showing where the train had once been. The vault itself was nearly empty. There were only four piles of gold left, one of which hiding Captain Jung.

"Don't shoot," Park said, lowering his weapon. "It's me. I came back for your dumbasses. You owe me a drink."

Park approached, but he paused when he saw how much blood was pouring from where Hobi was hiding. Just like that, Park rushed forward, kneeling by the fallen man's side. Captain Jung was there, his body slumped against the stack of gold with his skin pale and shining with sweat. Park saw where Hoseok got shot, but he knew it was too late.

"Captain," Park whispered, watching as Hoseok drew in slow but jagged breaths. His eyes were distant and unfocused. It was as if he didn't realize Park was in the room. Not wanting to give up, Park shook him. Hoseok finally saw Park.

"You're here," Hoseok said, his voice drained of any life. "But... your status-"

"Is Y/n alive?"

"I don't know. I think she got shot."

Park trembled, nibbling on his lower lip for a moment. He composed himself, sucking in a breath and holding Hoseok's bloody hand. "I'll get her home."

It felt like an unspoken promise: Park would stay by Hoseok's side as he died. He had a minute at most, but likely only a few more seconds. He used them wisely, deciding to stare at the ceiling as if it was made of clouds. Like it was made of the most beautiful colors known to man.

"I never hated you," Hoseok murmured, Park tearing up at that. "Despite how I acted, I..."

"Shh," Park interrupted, giving Hoseok's hand a squeeze. "You don't need to explain to me." Park paused, peering at the ceiling with him. "What do you see?"

Hoseok had a smile infecting his face, his eyes lighting up with more life than Park had ever seen from him. "Hope."

Park watched as Hoseok's head fell to the side, his chest slowing to a halt. Park removed his hand from Hoseok's, closing the older man's eyes. Captain Jung had his flaws, but he did his best to keep the rebellion safe, even if he didn't believe. The two of them hadn't exactly gotten along, but Park would miss him. He'd miss hunting with him, and asking about the plan only to be met with Hoseok's sass. Although he didn't have time, Park made sure to take a few extra seconds to say a prayer to the gods he didn't believe in. Like Namjoon, Park hoped he was wrong. He hoped the gods would hear him and give Hoseok safe passageway up to a better place.

He backed away, grabbing his weapon and checking to see if there were any guards outside. None. In a few minutes, that could change. Park didn't have the time to stall.

"Y/n?" Park asked, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Y/n!"

He ran. His heels ached as he went, scouring the vault for any sign of his woman. After checking most of the vault, his heart plummeted. That was until he checked the corner and saw her curled up there. She had her rifle on him, but he held up his hands.

"Same side," he said, her hesitating before lowering the metal.

"Hoseok's..."

"Gone."

Y/n had dried tears on her face and blood pouring out of her calf wound. He knelt, taking off his tunic and belt. He had a thin undershirt that protected him from wind and rain, but it showed part of his shoulder tattoo. With the materials he had, he made a makeshift tourniquet, preventing further blood loss from her calf. Although it wasn't a life-threatening injury, it would be if she went too long without medical attention.

"Come on, we have a long walk to the train," he said, swinging his rifle around himself and gripping her legs and back. "Wrap your arms around my neck." She did, and he picked her up, holding her close. "Any other injuries I should know about?"

She shook her head, so he took it as either a no or she was too in shock to examine herself. He pressed her head against his chest, refusing to let her see the body of her fallen friend. He moved past it, exiting the vault. Instead of going through the bunker again, he opted to go toward the tracks. That way, he'd avoid further confrontation with guards, and, more importantly, confrontation with Namjoon. It would-

"I thought you didn't care," she whispered, pulling her head back to stare at him. He stopped only a few feet away from the tracks, meeting her soft gaze. Her irises were filled with pain, yet they were still so curious. Park swore he had never seen so much beauty in his life.

The single comment threw his entire mind through a spiral of feelings. He didn't know how to reply. He didn't know how to tell her the way he felt. He didn't know if it was right for him to feel that way. All he did was stand there for a moment, thinking of what to say. Then, he realized he couldn't say anything. There was nothing he could say that would prove it. But actions would.

So, he leaned down and kissed her.

She leaned into it, grabbing on his neck and deepening it. They didn't have the time for it, and they knew that. Despite that, they latched onto each other for another greedy second. When he pulled back and met her eyes, he wanted to speak, but he didn't need to. With just her expression, he could tell she understood.

Park went to the tracks, stepping on them and starting to climb. It would be a difficult journey, but it was worth it to stay out of trouble. He hoped the others would still be there by the time they got back.

Park kept going, his legs burning from the effort it took. However, he couldn't get his mind off the woman in his arms. She had a tight grip on him, refusing to let go. He could feel her blood on him, and it terrified him more than the Emperor ever had. Deep down, he knew she'd be fine, but he found himself slowing to a halt either way. She glanced up at that, and Park's breath lost itself on his tongue. It trapped him inside his own body as he moved to say the word he hadn't said in years.

"Jimin," he said, his swollen tongue sobbing from the relief flooding his veins.

She tilted her head. "What?"

"Jimin. Park Jimin. My name."

Y/n's eyes lit up, her thumb rubbing the back of his neck as if comforting him. "Thank you for telling me. I won't call you it-"

"Call me it," he said, his tone more desperate than he wanted it to be. Then, he lowered his voice to a whisper as moisture pricked at the corners of his eyes. "Please."

The dark tunnel didn't stop them from locking eyes. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her again. Beyond that, he wanted to make love to her to show her what he couldn't say. But his gaze said all it needed to, or at least, he hoped it did. And it seemed to work seeing as she smiled, nodding before leaning into his touch.

"Okay."

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓣𝓪𝓵𝓮 𝓞𝓯 𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓙𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓷 ˚｡➶˚┊

A lot happened this chapter. Sorry...