For an hour, or so, Jimin was left to his thoughts. He had told 097 he wanted to be left alone for the time being. Surprisingly, the boy respected his wishes the first time, though, with the promise he'd be back. Jimin didn't mind that promise though. He...he found himself feeling respected by this man.

Which, in itself had Jimin conflicted. Because he knew any sort of emotion would make him weak. He wasn't used to people treating him even decently. The way 097 spoke to him was only of distant memory otherwise. His feelings liked it.

But he didn't think he did.

097 was too kind for his liking. Jimin knew it was the scum bag version of the kind, no decent person was in here, but he was still a saint compared to anyone else he knew. And that was gross. No one is kind without a reason. 097 wanted something from him.

He thought of this, mixed in with the terrors of earlier, and just his life in general, as he waited in line for a small meal for dinner; a biscuit and some apple juice. The American-style biscuit was small but flakey. It was better than the usual dumpster diving he had to do, especially in his teen years. And it was better than stealing food, or money, or anything of the sorts. He didn't mind it at all.

Not even three minutes later, he hears, "Need a dinner buddy?"

He looks up. 097 had kept his promise. His voice was gentle, his demeanor calm. Jimin didn't understand how he could even speak in this tone, after what had happened. Even hours later, people were still crying. Every half an hour or so a screaming match broke out, that usually ended in physical violence. Others were shocked into emotional numbness, but no one was acting like 097.

Jimin slowly nodded, feeling too emotionally vulnerable alone. Shit. "Sure."

097 sat down next to him, on the steps just like before. "Geez, you look even worse than when I left you."

It was because of how his emotions were treating him. He was going through a strong bout of whiplash. "Today...today was just tough."

"Oh wow, I never would've guessed," 097 huffs out a bitter laugh. "Well, at least we're not alone now. We have a higher chance of winning together."

"Don't be so sure," Jimin bites the inside of his cheek softly, not enough to hurt himself.

"I just mean we're better off psychologically or whatever," He makes a face. "I'm not a doctor, I don't know. Just, maybe knowing someone depends on you gives you more reason to survive. Because I don't have anyone to survive for at home. And I doubt you do either."

How could this man just read him like a book? "...Yeah."

"So you need to survive for me," The taller tells him. "Do I need to survive for you?"

His heart panged. He didn't know why. Maybe it was simply that he wasn't used to the attention. "Yeah. So do a fucking good job."

He felt so broken right now. He thought he was tough, he thought he could stand up to anyone. But now, he barely even had a voice, he was so vulnerable. And fucking 097 was taking advantage of that. His broken mind, his broken soul, responded to the kindness. He wanted to tell him to fuck off, that he didn't need him, or anyone for that matter.

And yet he didn't know how.

So Jimin sat next to this man, letting him give him attention. In these few hours of safety he would let his emotions co-exist with his wariness, because he didn't have the energy to do anything else.

"I'll do a good job 136," He assures. "I can do a better job if I get to know you."

"What?"

"I want to get to know you 136," 097 looks at him. "I think the closer we are and the better we get along, the harder we'll fight for each other. Tell me about yourself."

"There's nothing to tell," He takes a sip of his juice, defensive.

"Come on, there has to be something," 097 nudges him with his shoulder. "Your name?"

"No."

"I don't even get to know your name?" He raises an eyebrow.

"No," Jimin looked at him with a soft glare.

"Fine," 097 brushes it off. His blatant patience annoys the shorter. He never retaliates, and for some reason that's infuriating. "I'll start off more simple. What's your favorite color?"

Jimin gives him a look. "Really?"

"Well, you're not going to tell me anything important," He shrugs. "Your favorite color can't be too secretive, right?"

Shit this guy is charismatic, with his quick thinking and adaptability. Anything Jimin says he has an answer to. Maybe they do click.

Or maybe 097 was a cult leader.

There was really no way of knowing.

But nonetheless, he gives in. "I...it's blue."

"Blue," He repeats. "Such a calm color for someone like you."

Another glare. "What the fuck are you implying?"

"Just that..." He hesitates. "Blue is such a comforting color. I guess I'm saying that color is a comfort to you. Am I wrong?"

Fuck. "Well if you're so smart, what's your favorite color? Yellow? The happy go lucky color? Is your life sunshine and rainbows?"

"You got me, it's yellow," 097 nods. "But, it's because it reminds me of my brother and what he's done for me. My life is far from sunshine and rainbows."

"Yeah, well you and a bunch of other shitty people in debt were brought to this place, where you watched hundreds of people die," Jimin reminds. "But your attitude makes it seem like your life is sunshine and rainbows. I bet it is compared to mine."

"I mean, I can't argue, because you won't tell me," He points out. "But it's not, not at all. You bunch yourself into the 'other terrible people in debt'?"

"Duh," Jimin looks down. "I'm not here for being a saint."

"I don't think you're bad," 097 confesses. "Some people in here are actually bad people, like the guy who punched that woman to the ground. Do you wanna hurt anyone here?"

"No," Jimin's voice is soft. "I don't have the energy to."

"Or you simply don't wanna hurt people," 097 counters. "I don't know you."

"So get to know me," He finds himself saying, irritated. "You wanted to, didn't you?"

"I'm taking that as permission," He pats Jimin's knee. "I am interested in your life, since I will be working hard to help you keep it, so tell me whatever you feel like."

It's silent for a few moments.

"...My favorite animal is a dog," He mumbles. He hates talking about himself, but he...he wants to share right now. "I like cats too though. They're the only ones who are actually nice to me outside."

The look in the tattooed boy's eyes is almost warm. "You're a softie."

"Ew, fuck you," Jimin pushed him, but he didn't move much. He could feel his muscles underneath the tracksuit. It's at that moment he decides he never wants to get on his bad side. 097 could end him. "Never. That's fucking gross."

"I don't know if I can believe that," He teases, as much as the circumstances would allow, anyways. Anything they said still felt bitter on Jimin's tongue and ears. "You have a soft, trustworthy face."

Jimin stands up quickly. "You say anything like that again and I will fucking kill you before the games even get a chance."

"Fine," 097 puts his hands up in surrender. "I won't say it again. Here, let's promise right now, we'll do our best not to hurt each other. Physically or mentally." He extends his pinky.

"Are you serious?" Jimin deadpans.

"As serious as these games," He assures. "We played a kid's game. We can promise like little kids too. I'd like to think kids value promises more than anyone."

"...Alright," Jimin links their pinkies, their thumbs pressed together to form a lock with their hands.

097 pulls him forward. "Come sit down again."

"Don't tell me what to do," He scowls.

"Telling you what to do saved your life," 097 reminds.

That causes Jimin to sit. "...Thank you. For helping me."

"Oh?" 097 looks a bit surprised. "Where did that come from?"

"I just...really didn't want to die," Jimin confessed. "I guess I would've died without you." His emotions were going through another wave. He just wanted to feel nothing. Like usual. "You know what? I want to go to bed. I just want to sleep. I can't take this anymore."

"Okay 136," 097 pat Jimin's knee again. "I understand. It may be hard sleeping tonight. May I walk you to your bed?"

After a second, Jimin nods.

"Alright, come on then," He stands," He stands up, voice still so gentle. "Show me to your bed."

"Why do you talk like that?" Jimin's lips formed a pout against his will. He walks in front of 097, finding his bed in the middle of the room, against the back wall.

"It's how my brother always talked to me, even in the worst of times," He explains. "It's how I learned to speak myself."

"Oh, okay," He sits on the bed. That seems plausible. "Your brother's a good person?"

097's smile was bitter. "He was. Goodnight 136."

As he begins to walk away, Jimin goes, "Wait...where are you sleeping?"

His eyes fill with bittersweet warmth. "I'm a row to the left here, on the top. The stairs don't reach it, so you'll have to climb to get to me."

"I don't need you, I was just curious," Jimin's face was once again back to a glare. "Don't flatter yourself."

"Okay 136, I'll believe you this time," He smirks softly. "Night."

"Goodnight," He whispers as 097 walks away.

Then he stuffs his face in his mattress, willing sleep to find him. Another tear escapes his eye, emotions overwhelming him now that he was truly alone.

"Just let me feel nothing," He whimpers, breath hot, and bouncing back into his face. "Please just let me go."