Thread by @tinyyoonmini

Stay Alive 🖤

When the world fell apart five years earlier, leaving Jimin living in a urban dystopia and fighting for survival, he thought he was alone. Then one day he comes across a man with a sword and an all too familiar voice.

#yoonminfest #ymfest22_d16

A story of lost loves and reuniting.

Tags:

🖤 apocalypse au
🖤 dystopian world
🖤 mild violence
🖤 secret pining
🖤 reuniting
🖤 love confessions
🖤 idolverse/canon divergent
🖤 mild angst
🖤 happy ending
🖤 it’s fluffy at its heart

The scorching heat of the midday sun beat down on the decaying city as he walked. His footsteps lifting puffs of dust in their wake. There was an eerie quietness that hung over this part of the city, almost as if it was void of sound altogether.

Jimin adjusted the bandana that covered the lower half of his face. The only thing saving his lungs from the dust. It was too hot, he should’ve stayed inside. It felt like every inch of him was coated in the stickiness of sweat, it itched and made him want to rip his own skin off

You’d think he’d be used to it by now, but no, he still missed the colder days. He missed winter and snow. It had been years since he’d seen it, felt that relief of a cold breeze.

Now all he got was the stifling too hot air that seemed to close in on his as he waded through the crumbling streets.

He squinted through the haze, a little further and he allow himself to take a break. His legs ached but it would be worth it if he found what he was looking for. At least that’s what he told himself as he walked.

Of course there was the constant niggling at the back of his mind that told him the whole trip was a waste of time, there wouldn’t be anything there. He should’ve stayed home where it was safe, or /safer/. Was anywhere safe anymore? It didn’t feel like it.

An hour later he climbed through what had formally been the window to a small convenience store. The shelves picked clean, years of dust coating every surface. It looked undisturbed, but he checked every corner just in case. He didn’t need any surprises.

Once he’d confirmed it was clear he settled himself on the floor behind what had been the cashier’s counter. A crack in the counter gave him a clear view of the open store front whilst concealing him from anyone, or anything, that may pass by.

He rummaged in his pack for his food and water bottle. Nibbling at the dried meat and allowing himself a few mouthfuls of water. He needed to ration it, his water at home wasn’t exactly flowing aplenty and there was little to no sources left in the city.

He really couldn’t wait to be out of this godforsaken place. A place he’d once called home and now just filled him with dread and bad memories. He allowed himself twenty minutes of rest.

His crossbow resting against his leg, loaded and ready in case anything were to follow him through the open window. Thankfully nothing did, again he was reminded of the deathly quiet of the area. He knew very few people ventured here now, no one wanted to stray into a hot zone.

Jimin must’ve been a fool, or desperate, maybe a little of both.

Once back on the street he felt the heat burning his skin again. The brief reprieve in the convenience store had only made returning to it all the worse, but he would keep going. He had to. He’d been back to it only ten minutes when he heard it.

A small crack, like a branch snapping and a scuffling sound. He stilled, taking measured steps to back himself up against the nearest building, how bow raised. He hunched down behind some rubble, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of movement.

He’d expected to see one of the rabid animals that prowled the streets. What he hadn’t expected to see was a man. Dressed head to foot in black, the man stuck out like a sore thumb in the dusty city.

Unlike Jimin who was dressed to disappear into his surroundings, this man appeared like a dark beacon, bold against the monotone background. Jimin watched as the man picked his way through the street, he moved like he’d been doing it all his life.

Gentle footsteps, much like Jimin’s own, doing their best to make as little sound as possible. He saw a flash of silver in the sunlight, a blade, no, a sword. The guy had an actual fucking sword held in one hand. The sunlight reflecting off the silver blade.

Whoever this guy was Jimin wasn’t interested in meeting him, there were a lot of assholes out there and the last thing he needed was to get into a fight with one, which would only draw attention from other dangers. No, he would stay were he was and let the man pass by.

He’d learned the hard way it wasn’t worth trying to find other survivors to befriend, it was everyone for themselves now, and Jimin was no different.

It wasn’t until the man was almost directly in front of Jimin that he stopped. Jimin held his breath as he waited for the man to continue his journey, he could tell he was listening, the same way he did, listening for threats.

“I know you’re there.” A deep voice said suddenly.

It sounded loud in the silence, though he couldn’t have spoken much louder than a whisper. He didn’t look in Jimin’s direction, but he could see from his hiding space, his grip on the sword tightened.

“You might as well come out. There’s nothing here but us.” The man said.

Jimin didn’t move. It could be a trick, this guy was mostly just after whatever provisions and weapons Jimin had.

“I don’t want whatever you’re carrying.” The man said as though reading Jimin’s mind.

There was something vaguely familiar about his voice, he didn’t know what it was but it was almost as if he knew it. That was impossible though, everyone he knew was either dead or gone from Seoul. He was the only one stupid enough to stay behind.

The man waited, it was like he knew Jimin was thinking about it, about him and just waiting to see his reaction. Jimin stood up, revealing himself. It was probably a terrible idea, but that voice… there was something about that voice.

The man turned to look at Jimin. Like him he had a cloth over his lower face, only his eyes visible under his jet black hair. Piercing cat-like eyes which seemed to look into Jimin’s soul as he stared at him.

“How did you spot me?” Jimin asked.

“The sun, it reflected on your arrow tip.” The man said. “And there’s nothing shiny around here anymore.”

He had a point, everything was coated in dust, nothing glinted in the sun anymore, unless it was a weapon.

He’d noticed that himself a while back, it was an easy way of spotting enemies. He cursed himself internally, he needed to find something to coat the arrowheads with to stop that. He didn’t need a repeat of this in the future.

“What do you want?” Jimin asked.

“Nothing, except to know why the fuck you’re out here in the midday sun like an idiot.” The man said.

Jimin bristled, “its got nothing to do with you. Just go on your way.”

“Go on my way? You’re the one who’s in my territory.”

“You’re territory? What the fuck are you talking about, no one owns Gangnam.” Jimin spat back.

“I’m the only one living here, so it’s pretty much mine.” The man said.

There was really something familiar in that voice, but Jimin couldn’t quite place it.

That teasing tone simmering under the deep rumble of his voice. Who the hell was this guy?

“No one lives here.” Jimin said.

“I do, so again, why are you here?”

“I’m just passing through.”

“To where?”

“Why do you need to know? Jesus fuck just back off.” Jimin could feel himself getting irritated. There was something about this guy that just got his back up.

“I don’t need to, I want to know. So are you gonna tell me or not?”

“Not.”

“Fine, but you should know everything is empty. Whatever supplies you think you’re gonna find there, you won’t.” The man said.

“Okay.”

Jimin should’ve just left at that point. The man didn’t seem to be intending on stopping him.

He should’ve just went on his way and left the man in his tracks. But there was something that stopped him, something that made him linger.

“Where did you get that sword?” Jimin asked.

“This old thing? Had it before the fallout.” The man said, swinging it lightly through the air.

Jimin could make our the dark wood of the hilt where he stood, the curved blade flashing in the sunlight.

He hadn’t seen a traditional sword like that for a long time, back when television was still a thing. But that one in particular looked familiar, there was a small mark on the hilt, a hint of gold that could be seen just below the man’s grip.

“Who are you?” Jimin found himself asking, the memory stirring somewhere in the back of his mind but not enough to recognise.

“Who are you?”

“I’m not joking, who the fuck are you and why do you have that sword?” Jimin could feel anger rising in him, a possessive anger that he didn’t know the origin of.

He watched as the man tilted his head slightly, feline eyes narrow. Jimin had seen those eyes before. He knew those eyes. He knew that sword. He knew that voice.

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” The man said, quirking an eyebrow up at Jimin in a challenge.

Jimin found himself glaring at the man, yet his fingers itched at his side to reach up and pulled down his bandana.

“Fine.” He said.

The man reached up and pulled down his own face covering, Jimin mirroring the movement.

His heart thumping in his chest so hard he thought he could actually hear it. Time seemed to slow as they each revealed their faces, their identities. As the black cloth was lowered from the man’s face Jimin felt his world tilt on its axis, his heart clenching in his chest.

He felt like he couldn’t breathe, like his chest was in a vice as he took in the familiar features, the pale skin and button nose. The too-pink lips and once soft cheeks now thinner and sharper, yet still the same.

“Yoongi-hyung?”

***

Neither of them spoke as Yoongi led them through the crumbling streets which had once made up Gangnam. Jimin followed his every step, his brain going a mile a minute as he tried to put together the pieces of his shattered world.

He pinched his arm hard, and had to stop himself from crying out. Definitely not a dream. Then why did it feel so surreal? It was like waking up in another life, a life so long ago he’d almost forgotten.

“Careful, those paving stones are loose.” Yoongi warned, as he stepped over a cracked piece of pavement.

Jimin followed his movement before returning to the silent trek they made.

It took a lot less time than he’d expected before they reached their destination, the place Jimin had been looking for all along. The old building still standing somehow, though the upper floors where destroyed. Yoongi led them through what had one been the parking garage.

Stepping out of the sun and into the shadowed underground space felt like heaven as the descended into the dark. A barrier had been formed not far into the garage. A blockade preventing anything and anyone getting through.

Jimin couldn’t see an entrance but Yoongi knew it, knew exactly the sheet of metal to shift and reveal the chained gate. He pulled out a key and unlocked it, allowing Jimin to pass through before following himself and locking it up again.

“This way.” Yoongi said, leading him through the garage.

It was dark, Jimin could barely make out Yoongi’s form in front of him. Not wanting to lost him in the darkness Jimin kept close to him until they reached the far end of the garage and a door.

Again, Yoongi unlocked it and led Jimin into a stairwell, the stone steps leading up into the building overhead. Jimin paused for a moment on the bottom step. He wasn’t sure if he actually wanted to face it now that he was here. He didn’t know if he could.

“You alright?” Yoongi asked, when he noticed Jimin had stopped.

“Fine.” Jimin lied, before continue to follow him.

They climbed three floors. Their footsteps echoing loudly in the empty stairwell. Another locked door, this time a keypad. Jimin wondered what powered it as Yoongi pressed in the passcode. Did he have electricity? He thought all the power lines had gone down years ago.

“Its battery powered.” Yoongi said, again as though reading Jimin’s mind. “I have a solar charger.”

“Oh.”

“Come on, I’ll show you.”

Once they were out on the second floor it was truly like stepping back in time. Jimin recognised the corridors, the dark panels like ghost of his past.

“Everything above the seventh floor is destroyed. Something crashed into the building, and the structure didn’t hold.

There’s a small part of the seventh that is accessible, I have a garden up there.” Yoongi said as he led him down the corridor. “Not that much grows in this heat.”

Jimin could only nod. He didn’t really know what to say. What could he say to a man who he’d thought dead for five years? What could he say to the man he’d once loved?

Yoongi led him to the furthest end of the corridor and through some double doors. Jimin couldn’t remember what had been on the third floor, it was so long ago now. Whatever it had been was now replaced with boxes. Boxes upon boxes stacked up on shelving units.

“I tried to save what I could, its all labelled with whoever’s rooms I got it from. Some of the stuff was the staff’s, but these,” Yoongi stopped in front of a shelving unit, “are yours.”

True to what he said the box was labelled. The roughly written ‘Jimin’ visible through the dust that clung to everything in the room. Jimin didn’t know what to do.

He didn’t know if he wanted to open those boxes, to open his memories to the life he’d lived before the fallout. Before the world had ended and left him alone.

“You don’t have to look through them now.” Yoongi said, his uncanny ability to read Jimin’s mind surfacing again. “But I wanted you to know they were here. You can look through any of it. Its not like anyone is coming back for it.”

“Then why did you save it?” Jimin asked.

“I guess in the beginning I thought they might.” Yoongi said, not meeting Jimin’s eyes.

He knew that feeling, the feeling of hope. A feeling he’d lost a long time ago.

“Taehyung made it.” He said after a moment. “He went to his grandparents farm, to look for his family.”

“Fuck, I didn’t think… that’s good. I’m glad.”

“The others… I don’t know. I just assumed they were all dead. Like I did you.” Jimin added.

It felt hollow to say. It all felt hollow.

“Your family?” Yoongi asked, ignoring his comment about the others.

Jimin shook his head.

“Same here, the south was pretty bad.”

Jimin knew, he’d witnessed it all on tv before everything had stopped broadcasting. Busan had been hit by the flooding. Daegu had been all but destroyed in the weather changes.

It was a miracle Seoul had survive until the drought, it was a miracle they had survived. He still wasn’t sure how he had.

“You must be tired, let’s head upstairs.” Yoongi said.

He led them up to the fifth floor, where he’d set up his living quarters. Jimin remembered now that was where his studio had been. His lips turning up at the edges when he saw the familiar ‘Genius Lab’ sign still hanging as they passed the door.

He wondered if all Yoongi’s equipment was still there. Or if it had been ransacked. He followed Yoongi into a larger room, his living space. There was a bed and a sofa, a small kitchen area in one corner.

He could see camping equipment stored on one of the shelves. The same kind of things he used in his own home.

“I’ll make us some food. There’s water in that storeroom.” Yoongi said, pointing at a door before heading over to the kitchen area.

The mere mention of water had Jimin’s mouth running dry so he headed for the storeroom. He almost gasped when he pulled the door open.

The shelves were stacked with bottled water, Jimin hadn’t seen that much water in one place in years.

“How?”

“No one thought to check here for water stocks. Most of the stuff that was taken in the initial ransacks was electrical equipment and clothing.

Our med stores were cleared out as well, and the food. But that lot was tucked away in the back of the merch warehouse.” Yoongi explained. “Never saw the point in BTS branded water until now.”

Yoongi laughed, and Jimin felt himself wanting to join in. Of all the stupid shit they’d plastered their name or faces on over the years, the water had been the most pointless and stupid of all.

Yet here it was, like a beacon of life just for them. He grabbed a bottle and went to join Yoongi in the kitchen.

“You have a generator?” He asked, sinking onto a chair at the small dining table.

“Yeah, it took a lot of repairs but I got it going. I try not to use it much though, the fuel is hard to come by.”

“Same, the one I have is a million years old. Almost lost a finger trying to repair it.” Jimin said, showing him the long scar along his finger.

“Ouch, have to say I have a fair few new scars now as well.”

“I’ve noticed.” Jimin said, looking at the long gash over his eye.

“Ah yeah.” Yoongi said, reaching up to touch the scar. “A wolf, I didn’t even know their were wolves in Korea until it jumped me.”

“A lot of the animals came from zoos, I guess they started breeding, and spread.”

“Yeah, must be.” Yoongi said, nodding. “Still weird though.”

“At least it was just a wolf. There’s a tiger hanging around Sincheon.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep, saw it with my own eyes.”

“Fuck. I’ll stick with wolves.” Yoongi said.

They fell into silence while Yoongi cooked. It was almost as if they weren’t living in a post-apocalyptic world and it was just any other day after dance practice. The whole thing felt surreal. Being back in the BigHit building, back with Yoongi. It felt like a dream.

Jimin really didn’t know what to make of the whole thing. For so long he’d lived thinking the members, aside from Taehyung, had been lost. They hadn’t been together when everything fell apart. The world thrown into chaos. Seoul especially had been horrific.

Not only the world itself destroying lives, but the desperate people killing for survival. Jimin had holed himself up in an abandoned house. A tiny place which he’d been able to barricade well.

It was tucked away in an area on the outskirts of the city that not many people had bothered with, a poorer area. He supposed no one had thought to go looking there for supplies, after all what had the people who lived there before had but poverty?

It made him sick to the stomach thinking about it. Those people forgotten even in catastrophe. There were a few families that had made it through, like Jimin holing themselves up in their tiny rundown homes.

They were his neighbours now, and while they weren’t friends, they at least respected each other enough to leave one another alone. That’s all anyone ever did now. It was hard to trust when so many would cut your throat for a grain of rice.

“Here we go, it’s not much.” Yoongi said, placing a bowl of ramen in front of Jimin.

“You have eggs?” Jimin said, surmised to see the white and yellow nestled between his noodles.

“I have chickens.”

“No way?!”

“Yep, five hens and a noisy as hell cockerel.” Yoongi said though a mouthful of food. “They live up on the sixth. Found them when I first came back to Gangnam.”

“You left?”

“Didn’t everyone? The city was a war zone. I came back about three years ago.”

Three years ago was when the temperatures had stopped rising. At one point Jimin had thought they’d never stop. That what was left of humanity would simply bake to death.

“You’ve been here for three years?”

“Yep, not gonna lie it’s been rough. But not many people come through here anymore. It's why I was so surprised when I saw you.”

“Same, everyone says this place is a ghost town.”

“For the most part it is. There was a lot of death and destruction here. Plus there’s the dust, it seems worse here than anywhere else.”

“Yeah, it’s a little better on the outskirts.”

“Is that where you’re living?”

Jimin nodded.

They talked more about their experiences since the fallout as they ate. It was the most Jimin had spoken in years, probably since Taehyung had left, and that had been four years ago. It felt almost too easy to fall back in line with Yoongi. Like they’d never been apart.

“Did you look for them, the others?” Jimin asked later that night.

Yoongi had invited him to stay the night, and Jimin had agreed. The events of the day having drained him like no other.

“Yeah, I looked for you all. But when the communications fell, there was just no way of knowing. I didn’t even know where to look. Except here, it’s why I came back.”

“Think part of me came back for the same reason, only I didn’t actually think I’d find anything.” Jimin admitted

“The last I heard Namjoon and Seokjin were still in Seoul when everything happened. Hobi was in Gwangju. Obviously you and Taehyung had been in Seoul too. And Jungkook…” Yoongi trailed off.

Jimin didn’t need him to finish his sentence. They both knew. Jimin had been in Busan, he’d been visiting family. They hadn’t heard anything after the flooding started. As Yoongi had said Jimin had been in Seoul, but only just. He’d been on his way back from Busan himself.

The train had stopped on one of the bridges when the power went out, he’d only just made it off the bridge and to safety. He tried not to think about it. Those first few days had been terrifying. They still plagued his nightmares frequently.

It was crazy how quickly humanity had fallen apart. He’d found Taehyung a few months later. Right before the power went out for good. It was pure chance that he’d turned his phone on again right when Taehyung had called.

They had spent almost a year together before Taehyung had decided to search for his family. Of course he'd begged him to go with him, out of the city, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t leave. Something deep in his soul was keeping him in Seoul.

And now as he looked over at Yoongi who was sat on the other end of the sofa, he maybe knew what it had been. All these years later, and that tiny speck of hope had been holding out.

“I wish there was some way of knowing what happened to them. Even if they didn’t make it, I’d rather know.” Jimin voiced.

Yoongi nodding in silent agreement.

***

As he lay in bed hours later Jimin felt the tears come. He curled in on himself and let them fall. Tears he’d been holding back for god know how long. Yoongi was alive, he was alive and in the room next to him. His heart ached.

He’d lost so much, yet there he was, he’d stood in front of him, that stupid gummy smile breaking out the moment he realised who was stood before him in the street.

The soft, “Jiminie” he’d said causing Jimin’s world to come crashing down around him, like the real world had already done. He didn’t know what to do anymore. Where to go or what to think. Yoongi was there, he was real and he was there. He’d aged, a lot. They both had.

It had only been five years since he’d last seen him but it was as though a lifetime had passed. Jimin felt it deep within himself, how the fallout had changed him.

How he’d went from an idol living a crazy but amazing life, to a survivor, just trying to make it through each day without dying. Yoongi looked much like he’d lived through the same, part of him wanted to ask him, to learn about his story.

The other didn’t want to, he didn’t want to know about his suffering.

The next morning, before Yoongi woke, Jimin headed down to the room with the boxes. He pulled the first one down and before he could chicken out, he opened it. Inside were some clothes, a pair of well worn Chelsea boots and a few other odds and ends.

He pushed it to one side and pulled another down, more clothes piled on top of some papers, he read through them. Old call sheets, and lyrics. A copy of his first ever contract. He pulled down another box, more clothes.

Jesus, how many items of clothing had he left lying around the BigHit building? The last box was the smallest, he pulled it down and his heart clenched at the first thing he laid his eyes on. A photograph, it was a Polaroid of him and Yoongi.

He couldn’t even remember when it had been taken. Underneath were more photographs, ranging back to before their debut days. A box full of memories. He cried a lot as he looked through them, his heart hurting harder than it had in a long time.

All those thoughts and feelings he’d worked so hard to push down, soaring to the surface.

When he went back up to the fifth floor Yoongi was making breakfast. A simple rice dish, which Jimin devoured without comment.

“You okay?” Yoongi asked.

“I looked through the boxes.” Jimin said quietly.

Yoongi nodded in understanding.

After breakfast Yoongi took Jimin up to see the chickens, he was right, the cockerel was noisy. But it was nice to see them. To see life amongst all the devastation.

It was cute how they clucked around the room, one pecking at Yoongi’s pants leg. Jimin couldn’t help smiling fondly as Yoongi grumbled at the chicken. So similar to how he’d grumble at him and the others when they hovered around him.

Yoongi had changed, but he also hadn’t changed at all. It made Jimin’s heart ache a little more. As he was shown the rest of the building Jimin couldn’t help but remember how it used to be.

All the hours he’s spent in these walls, so much of it gone now but echoes of them still lingered. Yoongi took him up to the small garden he’d forged on the accessible part of the seventh floor.

It was strange standing up there in the blistering heat, the staircase led to what remained of a corridor and what looked like two or three rooms. The rest had collapsed. It was like one of those dystopian artworks, where nature had taken over ruined cities.

Except it was a makeshift vegetable patch and greenhouse.

“Like I said, not much grows in the heat, but I got somethings to sprout.” Yoongi said, as he picked a tomato from the vine.

“I’m sure your water supply helps.”

“Yeah. That and the fact that I come up and brush off the dust a few times a day.”

“It’s weird seeing the green. I can’t remember the last time I saw plants.” Jimin said.

“I think that’s why I like coming up here, it’s a reminder that there’s life out there still existing in.”

They spent a little time out in the garden. Jimin helped Yoongi dust off the plants and water them. He understood what Yoongi meant, it was nice being surrounded by new life, even under the scorching heat. A reminder that even under the worst of conditions, life goes on.

When they returned to the living area Yoongi asked the question that had been lingering at the back of Jimin’s mind.

“When will you go back?”

“Soon, it’s a long walk.” Jimin said. It was at least a two day journey, the heat making it hard to travel for long periods of time. Seoul was a big city, but even without it, moving slowly to not be noticed and wading through collapsed buildings and destruction always took time.

“You’re welcome to take whatever supplies you want.”

“I couldn’t do that, you need those supplies.”

“Jimin-ah, please. Take what you need.” Yoongi said softly.

All Jimin wanted was for him to ask him to stay, but he didn’t. Not once. It was hard saying goodbye. He didn’t want to, he wanted to stay, but he knew he couldn’t. He needed to go home.

He forced himself to say the words, to say goodbye. Yoongi nodded and offered a small smile.

Why wasn’t he asking him to stay?

The journey back was harder than the one there. In part due to him not wanting to make it. All he wanted was to run back and demand Yoongi to ask him to stay. Clearly he hadn’t wanted to, Jimin’s heart felt like it was shattering all over again.

When he finally made it back he locked himself away in his stupid tiny house. The house that wasn’t his home. It had never been his home.

***

Weeks passed before Jimin saw anyone again. Not even the people that lived near him seemed to want to venture out into the world. Not that Jimin went anywhere, he only ventured out when he needed to. He was out looking for food when he heard his name called out.

“Jimin!”

He turned to see a familiar boxy grin, arms waving wildly in the air as Kim Taehyung came running towards him.

“Tae! Keep your voice down!” Jimin whispered harshly as his friend reached him, and pulled him into a bone tight grip.

“Sorry sorry!” Taehyung said, lowering his voice immediately.

“What are you doing here?” Jimin asked.

“Its a long story, let's go to your shack.” Taehyung said.

“Its not a shack.”

When they were back inside, and out of the blistering heat Jimin took a good look at Taehyung. He was thinner, his hair long and shaggy. Dark circles beneath his once bright eyes.

“Tae what’s going on? Why are you here?” Jimin asked.

Taehyung’s smile faded.

“Your family?” Jimin asked, fearful of the answer.

“They… they’re gone Jimin-ah. They’re all gone.” Taehyung’s voice cracked as he spoke.

“Oh god no, TaeTae.”

Taehyung told him everything. He had never made it to his grandparent’s farm. The car he’d managed to find had broken down, and he’d tried to make it on foot. But it was too far, too far from anywhere. Then the storm had hit.

Jimin’s stomach had turned the moment Tae had mentioned it. The storms were horrific. The hurricane force winds destroyed everything they touched. It’s what had happened to Daegu. A whole city torn apart in a few hours. Tae had only just made it out alive, but he’d been injured.

“I spent months, I don’t know, it might have been a year hiding out in the basement of an empty house in the middle of nowhere.” Taehyung told him. “I was lucky, whoever had lived there was a hoarder, they had a bunch of food and there was a river near by.”

He’d moved on when the river dried up, and his leg had healed enough for him to walk again.

“I’ve been trying to get back to Seoul ever since, but I got lost.” Taehyung said.

“Fuck Tae, I’m so sorry.”

“Its okay, there wasn’t anything left at the farm anyway.”

“How do you know?”

“Jungkook told me.”

“Wait? Jungkook? You’ve spoken to him?!” Jimin all but jumped up at the news.

“He’s here Jimin-ah, he’s with me.” Taehyung said.

“What? How?”

“He made it out of Busan somehow, and he headed for the next closest place he knew any of us would be. My family’s farm.” Taehyung told him.

“He stayed their for a while, living off what had been left behind from the storms before heading for Seoul. By some crazy as hell chance we ran into each other.”

Jimin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Not only was Jungkook alive, but he was there, in Seoul.

“Why didn’t you bring him here?”

“I wanted to check first…” Taehyung said, trailing off.

He wanted to check… to check that Jimin was still alive.

“I didn’t know if you… if you were still…”

“Its okay Tae, I get it. I’d have probably done the same.” Jimin assured.

They fell into silence, Jimin trying to process everything Taehyung had just told him.

On one hand he was happy, happy that Taehyung was back and Jungkook was with him. On the other he felt a deep sadness for his friends and what they’d lost.

“Yoongi-hyung is alive.” Jimin blurted out.

“What?!”

“He’s alive, and he’s been in Seoul all this time.”

“I- wow fuck.” Taehyung said. “So you’ve seen him?”

“Yeah, I went back to Gangnam.”

“You went there? Jesus Jimin, what were you thinking?!” Taehyung said with a groan.

Jimin understood his reaction. Gangnam had been a place they’d sworn never return to, not after what they’d witnessed there. Jimin hadn’t told Yoongi, but they’d tried to go back to the old company building back in the first year, and they hadn’t been alone.

One of their managers had found them, the three of them had gone looking for other survivors. Gangnam had been a hell-scape back then. It wasn’t just a hot zone, where the heat and quakes hit multiple times, but also a place where humanity was lost.

Jimin and Taehyung had witnessed that in real time, had witnessed the brutal murder of their manager. That was when they’d left, not daring to go back to the area, even after hearing the rumours that the place was a ghost town now.

A lot of the more affluent areas had been like that, people going crazy, taking what they could. While Jimin understood that people were desperate to survive, he had been, yet he had never harmed another person. He couldn’t.

He always carried that crossbow with him, but he hoped to god he’d never have to use it on human being. Other people didn’t seem to care that much. Letting their own fears and desperation turn them into monsters.

“I wanted to see for myself that there was nothing left.” Jimin said. “But I guess we were wrong, he said he’d been there for the last three years.”

“That’s insane.”

“Almost as insane as you and Jungkook finding each other.”

Taehyung nodded. The two of them falling back into silence. It was a lot to absorb. They’d both ran into people they’d thought dead. People who were important to them.

“Did hyung say anything?” Taehyung asked after a while.

Jimin knew what he meant. There had always been a lingering ‘what if’ over the two of them, though nothing ever happened.

“No, I stayed the night there and then left the next day.”

“So when are we going back?”

“I’m not.” Jimin said.

“Why the hell not?”

“Because he doesn’t want me there.”

“What are you talking about, its Yoongi-hyung, of course he’d want you there.” Taehyung said.

“Then why didn’t he ask me to stay?” Jimin snapped.

Taehyung didn’t reply.

It was all Jimin had been thinking about since he left. Why hadn’t he asked him to stay? Why did he just let him walk away like that? His heart hurt.

“I should go get Jungkook, I left him holed up in the old bank at the bottom of the street.” Taehyung said, finally breaking the tension that had settled over them following Jimin’s outburst.

Jimin just nodded. He didn’t have the energy to say anything else. Tae slipped out a few minutes later, with the promise of returning with Jungkook soon. While he was gone Jimin made some food, it wasn’t much, just rice, one of the few things he’d managed to get a stock pile of.

He set aside some of the dried meat for Jungkook as well, even now he couldn’t break away from treating the maknae.

“Jimin-hyung!”

Jungkook engulfed Jimin in a hug the moment he saw him. His strong arms wrapping around him so tightly he could barely breathe but he didn’t care. Jimin clung back just as tight. When they broke apart they both had to wipe their teary eyes, even Taehyung had started crying.

Jimin couldn’t believe it. They were back together again, the three of them. He never thought he’d see his best friends ever again, yet there they were in his tiny little makeshift home.

As they ate Jungkook filled Jimin in on what had happened when the floods hit Busan.

How his dad had forced him and his brother to leave immediately, to try and get to safety, but they’d been separated.

“I tried to find them when the water receded, but… there weren’t many survivors.” Jungkook told them.

They fell quiet, the pain still raw in Jungkook’s voice. Jimin couldn’t imagine what it must have been like, being with his family only to have them ripped away from him.

“I tried to look for your family too.” Jungkook said looking up at Jimin. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t…”

“It’s okay Jungkookie.” Jimin assured, taking hold of Jungkook’s hand. “There was nothing you could do.”

After a few moments Jungkook continued his story, how he’d just walked for days on end to try and get to Daegu, in the hopes of finding Taehyung or Yoongi’s families.

He’d eventually ended up at the farm to find it deserted and mostly destroyed by the storms. He’d stayed for a while, managing to live off what was left behind before he’d started the journey back north to Seoul.

“I thought about going to Gwangju, but I didn’t know where Hobi-hyung’s family lived.” Jungkook said. “And I knew he hadn’t been there when it all hit anyway.”

“From what we heard on the news before the broadcasting stopped Gwangju was destroyed much in the way that Daegu was.” Jimin told him.

“I thought as much, the south is really bad. You think it’s hot here, down there it’s unbearable. The rivers dried up much quicker too.” Jungkook added. “So I just kept going north.”

“I just can’t believe you’re both here, that you made it back.” Jimin said.

“It was sheer luck that we found each other when we did.” Taehyung said. “I’d been planning to leave where I was the day before, but stayed an extra day because I thought I saw a stray cat and wanted to feed it.”

“You’ve really not changed at all have you.” Jimin said laughing. Of course Taehyung would stay to save a stray cat.

“Its a good job I haven’t! If I’d left the day I’d planned I would’ve missed Jungkookie entirely, and probably would’ve never made it back to Seoul.” Tae said.

It was crazy to think how it all happened, Taehyung simply starting his morning as he had so many while he’d been in the town that he’d been staying in, only this time Jungkook was passing through at that very moment. Like a moment of fate waiting to happen.

Jimin was so happy to hear their story, to see them reunited and of course, back with him. He’d thought they’d lost everyone, and in the matter of weeks he’d found that he wasn’t completely alone anymore.

That tiny ember of hope that lay nestled deep in the pit of his soul seemed to ignite, a warmth spreading through him that he hadn’t felt in a long long time.

They spent the rest of the day telling tales from their last few years apart.

They’d all been through a lot, Jimin was left with such an array of feelings as they curled up to sleep together that night. Sadness for what they’d lost, anger and pain that his friends had had to suffer, relief that they were okay, and happiness that they were with him again.

He wished, not for the first time, that they’d all been together when everything had happened. Things would have been so different with the six of them beside him. His mind floated back to Yoongi, Yoongi who had been there right in front of him and he’d walked away.

While he knew if he’d have stayed, he may not have been found by Taehyung and Jungkook, it still hurt that he’d been with Yoongi and had left. It hurt that Yoongi hadn’t asked him to stay. He didn’t understand why. Did he not want him anymore? Did he not care?

He’d seemed so closed off, they’d barely spoken when he thought about it. A weird tension over them the whole time Jimin had been there. He supposed the world falling apart changed people in ways you could never imagine.

He didn’t know what Yoongi had been through, what had made him like that. As his tears fell again that night, his mind was only on Yoongi.

***

“We should go back.” Taehyung said for what felt like the hundredth time.

“I don’t think he wants us there.” Jimin said, again.

“How do you know that? As far as he knows Jungkookie is dead and I’m miles away, and possibly dead.” Taehyung pointed out. “At the very least I’m sure he’d want to know we’re alive.”

Jimin looked over at Jungkook who had been silent the entire time him and Taehyung had been arguing. They’d told him about Yoongi that morning over a breakfast of stale protein bars.

Jimin wanted to believe Taehyung was right, but he couldn’t help remembering the way Yoongi had just let him go without a second glance. He didn’t want Taehyung and Jungkook to go through that. They had both worshipped Yoongi, hell they all had.

He didn’t know how they’d handle the rejection. He knew he was barely handling it.

“I want to see him. Even if he doesn’t want us to stay. I want to see him.” Jungkook said after a moment.

His voice was small, it reminded Jimin of their debut days when Jungkook was shy and barely able to talk to any of them. And of course Jimin was weak for it, he would do anything for Jungkook. They all would, he was their maknae, their baby.

He could feel his resolve crumbling in an instant and by the look on Taehyung’s smug face, he was aware of it happening too.

“Fine. But if he wants us to leave we will okay? And we need a few days to prepare. Gangnam is a hot zone, we can’t just go without supplies.” Jimin said.

They spent the next three days preparing. Jimin had caches of supplies dotted around the area, in case his safe house was ever breached. They also went down to the river, which was 99% dried up, but still had a few pools of dirty water they could collect from.

One of the best things Jimin ever discovered in his search for supplies in the beginning was the water purification tablets. He’d found them in a dusty box at the back of a camping store. While everyone else had been after the likes of tents, weapons and fuels.

The box had been disregarded as something unimportant. Of course that had been before the water started drying up, before all that was left was dirty water that would kill you before it would quench your thirst.

He thought of the stockpile of BTS water back at the BigHit building, one thing he would do if Yoongi were to send them away again was take a few more bottles. The three of the them could carry more, it would help.

He had to admit he was nervous about going back. Not just the journey, which was rough, but also the thought of seeing Yoongi again made his stomach twist in knots.

The morning of departure came a lot faster that Jimin would have liked. He knew he couldn’t put it off any longer, and so a few hours before daybreak they set off.

There was only a few hours of darkness a day, and it was easier to move in the earlier hours before the sun reached its hottest. Jimin led the way through the discarded cars and rubble. The closer they moved into the centre of Seoul, the thicker the dust that hung in the air.

Taehyung and Jungkook didn’t complain once, never asking to stop for a break. Jimin supposed they were used to travelling through the wreckage that the fallout had left. Taehyung was carrying a baseball bat with some nails tacked into it.

He had told them he’d been inspired by zombie movies. Jungkook had numerous knives tucked into his combat pants. They were prepared. He was weirdly proud of them. They were strong, survivors, they’d made it this far. He had too, with his trusty crossbow at his side.

He was proud of them all. They had survived this far, and they would keep surviving.

As midday struck they slipped into a building for cover. The heat was scorching and only getting worse as they moved into the more built up areas of the city. It was a slight reprieve to descend into an old subway station. Jimin knew the train tunnels had collapsed.

Nothing could get through, the only way in was the way they had. He’d used it as a stopping point many times. The darkness a welcome reprieve from the bright unending sun.

“Get some rest, I’ll take first watch.” Jimin said as Taehyung and Jungkook collapsed onto the floor, reaching for their packs.

Jimin sat at the midpoint on the steps down, he had a clear view of the entrance from there, and was in earshot of the others.

They’d only been travelling half the day and he already felt exhausted. He pulled down his bandana and took a few sips of water. He could see the dust floating in the beam of sunlight that filtered through the open entranceway. It looked almost beautiful, delicately twinkling.

Jimin thought he could probably handle the heat, if it weren't for the dust. What he wouldn’t give to breath in a lungful of fresh sea air on the beaches of Busan. He missed it, missed home, missed his family.

He looked down to where he could hear Taehyung and Jungkook’s murmured conversation. At least he had them, his other family. It had been so hard without them, without anyone.

Jimin had never liked being alone, he’d even stayed sharing a room with Hoseok much longer than they probably should have. The last few years he’d spent alone had been all but torture.

Even now, in that moment with Taehyung and Jungkook just a few metres away he wanted to move closer, to be beside them. He thinks that is what he missed the most, not having on of the members within reach at all times.

What he wouldn’t give to have them all together again, the seven of them. And more that anything, what he wouldn’t give to have Yoongi beside him right there. Grumbling about being tired and hot. He wanted that back, he wanted him back.

Jimin was just about to give up his watch for Jungkook when he heard it. Someone was outside, he tossed a stone down to Taehyung and Jungkook. The signal for them to be quiet. Their muffled conversation dying out instantly.

He heard a slight scuffle and he knew they’d be getting into better positions. Jimin did the same, raising his bow in anticipation. The silence was deafening as he waited. Eventually he heard another crunch movement, then a shadow.

A man, a big hulking figure. Jimin tightened the grip on his crossbow as he began his descent, crouched low in his hiding place he watched as the man passed by. He had a machete in one hand, and Jimin recognised his face. He was one of the thugs he’d ran into a few months back.

Had watched him cut the throat of a defenceless old man. Jimin waited as the guy passed him by, sinking into the darkness of the station before he slipped up the steps with silent steps to check the outside.

There was no one around, just as he’d expected. He knew this guy was a solitary hunter. Only out for himself. He crept back down the steps, closing in on him. Then he heard the yell.

Jimin moved faster than he ever thought he had, the sound of Jungkook’s yell vibrating in his mind. He could hear a scuffle and in the seconds it took him to reach them his brain had supplied him with a million ways in which the guy had hurt his friends.

When he reached them relief washed over him, Taehyung was kneeling beside Jungkook who had a large gash across his bicep.

“Are you okay?” Jimin asked.

“Yeah, we’re fine. This asshole, not so much.” Taehyung said.

Jimin looked down to see the slumped body of the man. His face bloody, but what was most jarring was the metal pole that was sticking through his chest.

“He fell back when I hit him.” Taehyung said.

“Can’t say I’m sorry, I’ve ran into him before, he’s a sadistic murderer.” Jimin said, helping Jungkook up.

“Not surprising, the way he came for us the second he spotted us.” Jungkook said.

Jimin pulled the first aid kit from his pack, making quick work to clean up Jungkook’s cut and bandage it. “It’ll need stitches but it’s too dark to do it down here.”

“Let’s move on, I don’t want to stay down here with him.” Taehyung said.

So much for their rest. They moved on as fast as possible from the subway station, the image of the man’s impaled body fixed in his mind. The whole thing had been over so quickly it didn’t even feel like it was real, yet he couldn’t get the image out of his head.

Taehyung had taken the guy’s supplies, there hadn’t been much but better them to have it that someone else. They stopped for a little while so Jimin could stitch up Jungkook’s arm.

He’d weirdly become quite good at it, he supposed after stitching himself up a few times, he’d gotten a knack for it. There seemed a silent agreement between the three of them after that to just keep going for as long as they could.

Jimin had a few potential safe resting spots marked out form his past ventures into the city, and every time they passed one he mentally worked out how long it would take it to the next before pressing on. It was long and gruelling but they kept going.

They were moving slightly slower than he did alone, but at the same time he was resting less so they made good time. They decided to stop when they heard the howls of wolves, the temperature must have dropped enough for the animals to venture out.

It wasn’t worth the risk coming across any of them, so they holed up in the nearest safehouse. Jimin had stayed in this one the last time he’d ventured into the hot zone. There was even a little stash of supplies he’d left behind, a couple of water bottles he’d taken from Yoongi.

“I can’t believe I’m drinking Bangtan water right now.” Jungkook said laughing.

“It was surreal seeing it all. Even being back in the building felt weird.” Jimin said, “like another life.”

“It feels like it was another life.” Taehyung said.

“I kept thinking I’d dreamt it all. How was that our lives just a few years ago, and now just this.” Jungkook added.

It was strange to think how different their lives had been. They’d essentially been living the dream, successful idol group, millions of fans across the globe.

Just making music and trying their best to live life to the fullest. Looking back there had been a lot of negatives of that life, so many struggles, but Jimin would give it all up to be back in the dance studios practicing til the early hours again.

***

They rested for a few hours, Jimin even managing an hour or so of sleep, before setting off again when night fell. Jimin never liked moving around in the dark, too many shadows hiding away threats.

But he agreed it was better to keep going and get to Gangnam as fast as they could, plus it was easier to move in the night hours, when the heat wasn’t as unbearable.

The city landscape never failed to amaze him as the sun began to rise again, it was eerily beautiful in the morning glow, an urban dystopia. Crumbling buildings, abandoned vehicles, fallen signs, all coated in dust and grime. A city forgotten.

He felt small as he passed through the skyscrapers which once housed hundreds of people, and now stood like concrete skeletons looming over them. Gangnam was just as he’d left it, that deafening silence hanging over it.

As they walked by the convenience store Jimin had sheltered in before Yoongi had appeared the knots in his stomach seemed to tighten. They would be there soon, he wasn’t sure he was ready. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to say to Yoongi.

He wanted to demand an answer as to why he didn’t ask Jimin to stay, but the thought of that answer terrified him.

The sight of the BigHit building had Jungkook, who had been walking ahead, grounding to halt. He turned back to look at Jimin and Taehyung. His eyes blown wide.

“I know.” Jimin said.

It was hard to see, to look upon their home away from home and see it in tatters.

The upper floors destroyed, crumbling down into the ruins of Seoul around it. But Jimin knew there was a garden up there, there was life in those decaying walls. He led them down to the parking garage where Yoongi had shown him the entrance all those weeks ago.

It was all covered up much the same, Jimin pulled back the panelling that covered the gate, the lock in place, and hidden behind a board beside it a bell. Yoongi had pointed it out when he’d shown Jimin out, said it would alert him if Jimin ever returned.

With a deep breath he pressed the button.

Nothing happened.

Jimin pressed the button again. Nothing. Maybe Yoongi was busy? Maybe he was in a part of the building where he couldn’t hear the bell. They waited for a good ten minutes, pressing the button every few, only to be left out in the cold, or rather the heat.

The darkness of the parking garage doing nothing to cool the encroaching heat of the outside.

“Maybe he went out?” Jungkook voiced.

There was a pit forming in the bottom of Jimin’s stomach. Something felt wrong.

There was no reason why what Jungkook had said couldn’t be true, there was no sign that anything had happened. And yet Jimin’s gut told him something wasn’t right.

“We should just wait, he’s probably gone out looking for supplies.” Taehyung said as he settled himself onto the floor beside the gate.

Jimin didn’t have it in him to tell him that Yoongi’s supplies were fuller than most, there wasn’t a reason for him to go out looking for them.

When Jungkook agreed, all Jimin could do was go along with them. The three of them settling down beside the gate to wait it out. Of course the others could be right, Yoongi did leave his sanctuary, after all it was how he had ran into him.

But he couldn’t help the growing unease that settled within in him the longer they waited.

The hours seem to drag by. It was almost worse than we he was alone, despite having Taehyung and Jungkook there to talk to, Jimin felt like he was going out of his mind.

Where was he? Why had he left? As night fell the others began to share Jimin’s feeling of unease.

“He would come back before dark right?” Jungkook said, voicing all of their worries.

But as darkness crept over the dust covered city, they knew that wasn’t the case.

“Is it safe to be in here?” Taehyung asked after another hour or so.

“I don’t know. It’s pretty open.” Jimin said, looking over at the entrance the the parking garage.

There wasn’t anything to hide behind, and there were essentially cornered if anyone or anything decided to come down. Jimin felt very exposed.

They weren’t very far into the garage, the barricade that Yoongi had formed blocking off the main part.

“We should go somewhere safer.” He said, getting to his feet.

“Where? Can’t we just go inside?” Jungkook asked.

He looked exhausted, and Jimin understood, he felt it himself. But they needed to be somewhere less exposed and more secure.

“Its locked. I don’t have a key and clearly Yoongi isn’t coming back tonight.” Jimin pointed out.

The others had gotten to their feet, Jungkook turning to inspect the covering that hid the padlocked gate.

“How do you get to the gate?” He asked.

Jimin showed him, pulling away the panel like Yoongi had, exposing the gate. The heavy chains holding the gate closed.

Jungkook inspected the chains and padlock, though Jimin couldn’t see a way he was going to break through it, no matter how strong he was. It wasn’t some flimsy bike chain. Going off his expression Jungkook seemed to agree.

There was no way they were getting through. Yoongi had made sure of it, nothing would get through without the key.

“I can pick the lock.”

Jimin and Jungkook spun around to see Taehyung standing looking at them.

“What?” The pair of them said in unison.

“Move aside.” Taehyung replied.

They did as they were told, allowing Taehyung access to the gate. He rummaged around in his pack for a few minutes, pulling out some small tools before setting to work. Five minutes later the click of the lock echoed in the empty garage.

“What- how?” Jungkook said, a little awe in his voice as Taehyung pulled the chain free and swung open the gate.

“Not just a pretty face y’know.” Tae said, shrugging his shoulders like picking a lock and breaking into the BigHit building was the most normal thing in the world.

They made their way inside, Jimin making sure to lock up behind him. Taehyung picked the second lock with just as much ease as the first. He really did know how to keep surprising them, even after all these years.

Thankfully Jimin had watched Yoongi input the code when it came to the inner door. He pressed it in with ease, /134340/, his heart aching a little at the memories it held.

Once inside Jimin felt himself relax a little, but the unrelenting feeling that something was quite right still lingered. Yoongi definitely wasn’t there. They checked every room as Jimin showed them around.

It felt weird to be giving Taehyung and Jungkook a tour of a building they’d practically lived in for several years. Eventually they ended up in the main living area, Jimin heading over to the kitchen to make them something to eat. More out of a need to do something than hunger.

“I have to give it to Bang PD, he certainly picked a good building. Can’t believe it’s still standing.” Taehyung said around a mouthful of ramen.

The three of them were sat on the floor of what Yoongi had made into the lounge.

The old couch covered in their discarded packs and clothes. It reminded Jimin of summers in the first dorm, too hot meant minimal clothing was the only way they survived. As they all sat in just shorts and tank tops eating their fill of ramen, it was like stepping back in time.

Jimin both loved and hated it. He loved feeling like he was back home, with his family. He hated how much it reminded him of what they’d lost.

“Can’t help but wonder what happened to that new place they were building.” Jungkook said.

“It was still under construction when the fallout happened, can’t imagine it survived.” Jimin said, he slumped back against the couch. His eyes finally starting to feel heavy.

“Not much did. So many of the buildings are in ruins.” Taehyung said. “It was weird walking through it all, like a skyscraper graveyard.”

“Feels like a completely different city sometimes.” Jimin added.

He’d always had a love hate relationship with Seoul. He supposed it was because he still saw Busan as his home. Even after living in Seoul for nearly 10 years. Seeing it as it was now made him realise how much he missed it. Missed the busy streets he could get lost in.

Missed the bright lights that lit his way when he went on midnight walks with…

His chest seemed to tighten. The mere thought of Yoongi making him feel sick. Where was he? Was he okay? Had he simply ventured out too far to return in one day? Would he be back tomorrow?

All the anxiety he had about seeing him again had been replaced with the fear of not seeing him again. All he wanted was for Yoongi to walk through the door right then, to scold them for making a mess and eating all his ramen.

But there was nothing. Just the sound of Taehyung’s snores as he dozed off where he sat leaning up against Jungkook.

“We should get to bed, it’s been a long couple of days.” Jimin said.

“Yeah, I’ll wash the dishes first.” Jungkook said, nudging Taehyung awake.

“I can do it.” Tae mumbled.

“It’s okay hyung, get some sleep.” Jungkook assured.

Jimin couldn’t help but smile as Jungkook ushered them from the room and off to bed. Insisting on cleaning up, still their maknae at heart. No matter what they had gone through, he still wanted to do whatever he could to make things easier for his hyungs.

It was that, paired with the ache he felt for Yoongi that led to the tears, and as he cried himself to sleep he could only pray that Yoongi would return in the morning.

A week went by and there was no sign of Yoongi. They all acted like he was going to arrive any minute. Taehyung and Jungkook each claimed a room along the corridor from Jimin, turning them into bedrooms.

Yoongi had moved all the unused furniture into one room, so it hadn’t been difficult to find things to make themselves comfortable. Jimin was happy to have the distraction of humping furniture around. He also took it upon himself to look after the little garden and chickens.

He would not let Yoongi’s plant life and animals die, he would by coming back for them any day now. At some point Jimin had carried the boxes from the storeroom up to the room he’d claimed. It was the same room Yoongi had told him to use that first night.

It was opposite the Genius Lab, he hated that every time he opened the door he was faced with a reminder of Yoongi and his absence, yet couldn’t find it in himself to move to another. Instead he busied himself with sorting through his belongings.

He knew none of them were gonna leave now, he didn’t think Taehyung or Jungkook could face saying goodbye to the BigHit building again. It was the closest thing any of them had to a home now.

He knew eventually he’d make the trip back to his old makeshift home to collect the things he’d left there, but he could think of it as his home anymore. Not now.

It had been so hard to come back, but he couldn’t imagine walking away again. Even if Yoongi flat up said he wanted him to leave he could’t.

Tears pricked at his eyes as he thought about Yoongi again. He picked up the hoodie that was laying beside him. The worn fabric soft in his hands. He held it up to his face, the scent of Yoongi’s aftershave still lingering. Without a second thought he pulled it on over his head.

He didn’t care if it was too hot, he needed it. Needed to be surrounded with him. His fingers trailed over the faded logo, remembering how Yoongi used to wear it all the time. Pulling his knees up to his chest and pressing his face into them, Jimin let out a sob. Where was he?

***

“I think the chickens hate me.” Taehyung announced.

“They can’t hate you. Chickens don’t have feelings.” Jungkook told him.

“Of course they do! You’re only saying that cos you miss fried chicken.”

Jimin smiled to himself as the two continued to bicker as they washed the dishes. He was once again sat on the floor in front of the sofa, it had become a habit over the past week. The three of them eating dinner then congregating on the floor there.

Jimin had found some old unused notebooks, and was currently turning one of them into a scrapbook filled with the photos from his belongings. It hurt sometimes, looking at the pictures of the seven of them together or the ones of his hyungs.

But it was also something he needed to do. He needed to process his feelings, and this was the only way he could think to do it that didn’t involve hurting himself physically.

“We’re not killing any of the chickens.” Jimin chimed in as Jungkook began to whine about how he would do anything for a box of fried chicken and some tteokbokki.

“Only one wouldn’t hurt.” Jungkook suggested.

“It would hurt the chicken!” Taehyung cried.

Jungkook appeared next to Jimin, sinking onto the floor beside him, Taehyung following moments later.

“Wish I had more photos.” Jungkook said, picking up a Polaroid of the three of them together. “All of mine where on my phone.”

“Same. Never thought I’d run out of time to get them printer.” Taehyung added.

Jimin looked over at the photo Jungkook had picked up. If he remembered rightly it was taken in the US, one of their earlier trips there.

Somehow they’d managed to get a few hours to themselves during their hectic schedules. Jimin remembered how Taehyung had insisted they get burgers, like proper Americans eat and the three of them had stuffed their faces until they felt sick.

God he missed days like that, where they didn’t have a care in the world. Even if just for a few hours. He missed all the stupid shit they used to do, the silly games they would play. The way they’d tease their hyungs and be loud on purpose.

He missed the way he and Tae would stay up late talking about their hopes and fears. How Jungkook would appear in his bedroom at random hours in the night because he was bored. He missed the way Hobi would always make him laugh, and make sure he took his contacts out before bed.

The way he would go on bike rides with Namjoon after long days at the company. How Seokjin would cook for them and tell bad jokes to make them feel relaxed.

And how Yoongi… how Yoongi would stay up with him all night when he cried so hard because he missed home, or let him sleep on the sofa in his studio while he worked after he stayed late in the dance studio and didn’t want to go back to the dorm alone.

“Hyung are you okay?” Jungkook asked, his voice soft.

Jimin looked up at him, he hadn’t even realised he was crying.

“Yeah I just… I miss them.”

The overwhelming grief he felt for his friends, his family, the world just seemed to be slowly consuming him. He thought he’d processed his loss, but maybe it was thinking he had gained some of it back in the form of Yoongi that had pushed him to grieve all over again.

Yoongi seemed like an impossible dream. Like water slipping through his fingers, so close, yet he’d lost him all over again.

“He’ll come back.” Taehyung said softly.

“Tae, it’s been over a week. We don’t even know how long he’d been gone before we got here. He’s not coming back.” Jimin said, his throat thick.

“Look how long it took for me and Jungkookie to make it back.” Taehyung pointed out. “He’ll come back. He has to.”

There was a desperate sort of defiance in his voice, like he was daring Yoongi to go against his words. Everything in Jimin wanted him to be right. That Yoongi would return, but with every passing minute his hope was fading.

Maybe that was why he ended slipping through the unlocked door of the Genius Lab that night. He’d been headed for bed, but he found himself stopping in front of the door.

He’d expected it to be locked, Yoongi had always kept his studio locked. His work space his own private hideaway. Yet when he pushed the door he found no resistance.

Inside was pretty the same as Jimin had remember it to be. The dark decor a reflection of yoongi’s taste. His equipment was mostly gone, he supposed it had been taken when the looters hit the place. All that was left was a laptop and a few other bits and pieces.

The sofa was still the same, a crumpled blanket thrown over it. He remembered falling under that blanket so many times. The sound of Yoongi working away lulling him to sleep.

He walked over to the desk, everything was neat in its place, his lyric books stacked in a little pile beside the laptop. Jimin’s finger’s itched to flip through them.

Knowing Yoongi’s inner most thoughts and feelings would be scribbled down on those pages was almost too good to miss… almost. He would never break his trust like that.

Instead he reached over them to pick up the small framed photo that was propped up against a stack of old music books, the tears that had been building in his eyes finally spilling over. It was the same photo Yoongi had on his desk for years, the seven of them crammed together.

He can’t even remember what they were doing when it was taken now, had it been a livestream? It didn’t matter. What matter was Yoongi had held onto it, held onto the photo of them all.

The photo which he knew had a date scribbled onto the back in messy handwriting, the word forever beside it. He knew it was there because Jimin had knocked the frame off the desk once. He’d been messing around, teasing his hyung as always. When he’d heard the smash he’d panicked,

terrified that Yoongi would be angry at him. But all he had done was laugh and call him an idiot. When Jimin had picked up the broken frame, clearing up the broken glass, he’d seen what was written. His heart had filled with love then, and it was still filled with it now.

As he reached to put the photo back he noticed something, it must have been hidden behind the frame before, now laying on the desk having slipped free. He picked it up with shaking fingers, it was a photo of him.

He was laying on the very sofa that was behind him, his eyes scrunched shut as he laughed. Jimin didn’t even know when this was taken, or that it had been taken. Yet there it was, tucked behind those photo of the seven of them.

He turned it over, there wasn’t anything written on the back. No date, or any indication of when the photo had occurred. He walked over to the sofa, sinking down onto it, his gaze still fixed on the photo of himself in his hand.

There were no other photos in the studio, none of the other members, or even Yoongi family. Just that one group photo, and then this. This photo of Jimin. He didn’t know what to think, didn’t know what to feel. It felt like he was drowning, swallowed up by his own emotions.

He lay down on the sofa, pulling the old blanket around himself as tears fell silently down his cheeks.

“Please come back.” He whispered into the night.

***
Three weeks passed and there was still no sign of Yoongi. A silent understanding had occurred between the three of them after the second week passed, and they didn’t mention Yoongi or his return.

Instead, squashing down their feelings and ignoring the most likely reality, that he wasn’t coming back. At one point Jimin and Jungkook had returned to his old safe house to collect whatever supplies and belongings they could back.

It had been a long trip, the heat spiking extra high on their journey. It had been a relief to get back to the BigHit building, even when he found Tae in the living area with the chickens clucking about around him. Apparently they had ‘bonded’ while Jimin and Jungkook were away.

They fell into a simple routine, the three of them. Jungkook even found some workout equipment in the back of the storage room. Something about lifting weights made him happy, and Jimin supposed it was a good way to keep himself distracted.

Taehyung spent long hours painting and drawing, apparently all his old art supplies had been amongst his belongings. They now had multiple Kim Taehyung originals tacked up around the place. They were making it their home.

Jimin only cried every other night now, though he had taken to sleeping in the Genius Lab. The old sofa the only place he could actually fall asleep now. Every time he tried in his bedroom he would just lay awake staring at the ceiling.

They all slowly became accustomed to living in the half-dilapidated building, working with the things Yoongi had collected over his time.

Part of Jimin thought that maybe he had be planning for this, planning for them coming back. But that was crazy, Yoongi had thought them all dead until he had ran into Jimin.

The first day of the fourth week was when Jimin broke. Everything about everything was annoying him, he snapped at Jungkook multiple times over nothing, all the pent up emotions bubbling under the surface until he just had to get out.

Once small comment from Taehyung and he just ran. As he walked around in the blistering heat, the dust clogging his lungs as he tried and failed to breathe in the polluted air. Of course in his haste to leave he’d forgotten to grab his bandana, and his crossbow.

He just had to get out. It felt like the walls were closing in on him, and the pressure building around him fit to erupt. He wasn’t even paying attention to where he was going. His vision blurry with unshed tears. Eventually all he could do was collapse down onto his knees.

Folding in on himself as he crumbled. Crumbled like the decaying buildings around him.

“JIMIN?!”

The voice sounded distant, too far away. Muffled like listening to it through water.

“JIMIN?!”

Leave me alone.
Please.
Just leave me alone.

The voice was getting closer, but Jimin couldn’t move. He was frozen in place, his overwhelming grief and heartbreak tearing him apart from the inside.

“Jimin!” The voice was close now, he recognised the deep tones of Taehyung.

“Jimin?! Jimin are you okay?”

No. He wasn’t okay. How could he be okay?!

He felt Taehyung’s hand on his back, rubbing soothing circles into his sweat soaked shirt.

“Hey, it’s okay. You’re okay. Breathe.”

Breathe? How could he breathe when he felt like he was suffocating?

But Taehyung just kept repeating the words, a soft mantra as he stroked Jimin’s back, lulling him into a less panicked state. How long had it been since he’d had a panic attack like that? He couldn’t remember. He slowly pulled himself up, Taehyung’s eyes were filled with worry.

God he hated that look, that look that told him he’d fucked up. He hated making him worry, he was the one who worried and looked after his friends. Not the other way around. He felt so pathetic and useless, yet he couldn’t do anything but cry. The tears wouldn’t stop.

“You’re okay Jimin-ah.” Taehyung said, reaching up and wiping the tear tracks from his face with the cuff of his sleeve.

“No I’m not Tae. How am I supposed to be okay?”

“Look, let’s get back home and we can talk about it there.”

“Its not our home Tae, none of this is our home. Our home is gone. He’s… he’s gone.”

“He’s not gone. Don’t ask me how I know, but I do. I know he’s not gone.” Taehyung assured.

Jimin didn’t believe him. He couldn’t. He couldn’t give himself hope like that again. Not when it would only lead to more heartbreak.

“He knows you’re here and you’re alive.”

“Then why did he leave?!” Jimin all but shouted.

It was all that had been running through his mind. The whole time they’d been there, in that old memory filled building. He knew Jimin was alive, he knew he was out there and could come back. So why did he leave?

If he cared, why didn’t he ask him to stay, and why didn’t he wait for him to come back? He always would. He would’ve always went back. There was nothing that could have kept him away, not really.

No matter how much he told himself that Yoongi hadn’t wanted him, that they needed to go their separate ways, he couldn’t. He would’ve come back, always.

Eventually Taehyung managed to get him to go back with him. Though a big part of it was Jimin’s inability to breathe through the dust, his lungs straining with every in breath.

He spent the rest of the night coughing it all up, coughing and crying until his throat was raw and his eyes swollen. He was curled up on the sofa, Jungkook and Taehyung on the floor in front of him. Neither of them asked any questions, just let him be.

But he was glad they were there, their presence a comfort he didn’t know he needed. At one point Jungkook made him some tea to help sooth his throat. Jimin didn’t want to think about how worried he looked as he coaxed the cup into his hands,

or the way Taehyung kept giving him looks of concern. He knew they were worried, but he couldn’t bring himself to assure them he was okay. He supposed it was because he knew he wasn’t, he was so far from being okay. And if he was honest, he felt he had the right to not be okay.

Five years, for five years he’d believed all but one of his most loved people were dead. He had to admit he’d presumed Taehyung had been amongst them after he left. He’d mourned them, grieved every day and now after all this time he found out three of them were alive.

Only to lose one again. The thought of Yoongi made him sick to the stomach. He should have never left that day, he should’ve just stayed. Why had he left? Why hadn’t Yoongi asked him to stay?

“You should go to bed, try and get some proper sleep Jimin-ah.” Taehyung said, his deep voice soft and like a warm blanket wrapping around him.

“I- I don’t want to be on my own.” Jimin mumbled, his own voice coarse.

“Why don’t we sleep out here together tonight?” Jungkook suggested.

“Good adea Kookie, let's get some more blankets and pillows, we can build a fort.” Taehyung said, getting to his feet. “Jimin-ah do you want to go get washed up a little? Change into something else?”

Jimin struggled into a sitting position, his lungs constricting in a serious of coughs again. He looked down at himself, he was still wearing the clothes he’d ran outside in.

Taehyung had brushed him off when they got inside, but Jimin had been on the verge of passing out from dust-inhalation so he’d just helped him to the sofa. Jimin nodded, allowing his friend to help him to his feet. He felt weak and exhausted.

He stumbled through to the bathroom, Taehyung following him in.

“Are you hungry? You haven’t ate anything all day?”

Jimin shook his head. He felt too sick to eat.

“I’ll make some more tea for your throat then, if you need anything just shout.” He said before disappearing.

Jimin didn’t have to energy to tell him he doubted his voice could reach a shout right now. Instead he slowly peeled the dirt incrusted clothes from his grimy skin.

It felt like a colossal effort to undress, but he got there, carefully stepping into the shower and turning on the spray. It was weak, but the water felt good on his too hot skin. They’d found out three days after they arrived that Yoongi had set up a water tank with this shower.

A functioning shower had been something of a marvel to all of them, and it had taken them a ridiculous amount of time to refill the tank with the bottled water after they’d used it all up on that first day of discovery.

Now they limited their shower time, not wanting to waste too much water. At the moment their stocks were still pretty decent, all of them used to drinking very little these days. But they didn’t want to push their luck.

Eventually those bottles of water would run out, and they’d be screwed. He washed himself as quick as he could, maybe taking a little longer than usual, but for once he felt like being selfish. Letting the water wash over his aching head felt too good to give up so quickly.

Once he was clean he headed for his bedroom and pulled on some clean clothes. One perk of having left so much of his stuff lying around the company building meant he had pretty decent wardrobe now. No longer was he stuck with clothing he’d found.

It almost seemed ironic to be puling on a YSL t-shirt considering the circumstances, but it was an old favourite. Before heading back to the living area where he could hear Taehyung and Jungkook talking and no doubt making the fort, Jimin slipped into the Genius Lab.

Being back in Yoongi’s space both comforted him and caused his heart to ache. He chose not to linger, not letting those overwhelming feelings rush back.

Instead he grabbed the hoodie that lay draped over the back of his chair and pulled it on. Once again not caring about being too hot.

When he made his way back into the living area he had to hold back a gasp. Taehyung hadn’t been kidding when he said they could make a fort. In front of the sofa was a tent of various blankets, with what looked like Taehyung’s ass sticking out the apparent doorway.

“Tae?” Jimin croaked.

Said ass backed out to reveal Tae, his grin wide. “Just putting the finishing touches on!”

“Looks great, where is Jungkook?” Jimin asked, pulling the sleeves of Yoongi’s hoodie down over his hands.

“Went to get snacks. Apparently there’s a stash of chips in Pdogg-nim’s old studio.”

“Of course Jungkookie would find the snacks.”

“Are you okay?” Taehyung asked, before adding. “Stupid question, of course you’re not, but still. Are you oaky?”

“I’m not, but I will be.” Jimin replied honestly.

Taehyung walked over and pulled him into a bear hug. His larger body dwarfing Jimin’s the way it always did. He wrapped his arms around his waist, burying his face in his chest.

“Don’t run away like that again. We were so scared, we can’t lose you.” Taehyung whispered.

“M’sorry.” Jimin mumbled.

“It’s okay, I get it. But remember you have us now, you’re not alone anymore and everything is gonna be okay.”

Jimin could feel the tears building in his eyes again, he thought he’d cried them all out, but apparently there had been enough left the leave a wet patch on Taehyung’s shirt. He was so grateful to have his friend back. Both of them.

They had often joked about being soulmates, but sometimes Jimin truly believed it. He felt like everything was a lot better whenever Taehyung was with him. He felt like that about all six of them, not just Taehyung.

His members were his soulmates, a family he never knew he needed until they were there. They weren’t all there with him now, but having Taehyung and Jungkook was enough. The others were in his heart, he just needed to keep reminding himself of that.

It was only when Jungkook arrived that he and Taehyung pulled apart. He noticed the nod that Taehyung gave to Jungkook, a silent communication. Jimin was okay. They all crawled into the fort, Taehyung had made Jimin a flask of tea.

God knows where he’d found the flask, but it was perfect for that moment. The snacks were a bit stale, but surprisingly still good. Jimin even managed to eat a few before it got too much for his battered throat.

Taehyung told them a story about a stray dog that he’d rescued from a collapsed building while he was making his way back to Seoul. It was just what he needed after a long day like today.

He managed to drink most of the tea before getting too sleepy, eventually the three of them lying down together in a tangle of limbs and warm bodies. It was comforting having the two of them surrounding him, Taehyung pressed up against his back, Jungkook at his front.

Cocooned by his friends like that he felt safe, the claustrophobia he’d been feeling earlier finally gone. His heart still hurt, but he felt a little more at ease and no longer like he needed run away.

Another two weeks passed by, Jimin had felt rotten for most of it. His little breakdown had been his rock bottom, but that didn’t mean he was just fine and dandy following it. He took each day as it came, trying his best to just keep going.

He tended the little garden and fed the chickens every day. Though Taehyung had decided to become the master of the chickens, and more often than not Jimin found him sat in the practice room which was now their home.

He started working out with Jungkook when his throat and lungs recovered from the dust. He now understood why the youngest was so insistent on keeping up a regular exercise routine, it really did do wonders.

He felt stronger, not just physically, but mentally. It gave him something to focus on.

“We need some medical supplies.” Jungkook said over dinner one night. “After Taehyung cut himself the other day I did a stock take and there really isn’t much in there.”

“We could start taking scouting trips. See what’s out there. I haven’t spent much time in Gangnam, or the surrounding area so not sure what has been left behind.” Jimin said.

“Yeah, there’s three of us now taking up supplies that hyung was using for just one. We really need to see what else we can get a hold of.” Jungkook agreed.

Jimin noticed they never referred to Yoongi by name anymore, it was always just ‘hyung’ now.

They all knew who they were talking about, but after Jimin’s breakdown it just seemed too hard for them all to say anymore.

“We can take it in turns, though I’ll admit I’’m not very good at finding supplies.” Taehyung said. “I never know where to look.”

“Me and Jimin-hyung can do it, you can stay and look after the chickens.” Jungkook said.

“I want to do my bit though.”

“You do enough Taehyungie.” Jimin assured. “Let us do this.”

It was decided then that he and Jungkook would take turns heading out into the outside to search for supplies. Jungkook had been right, the three of them were dwindling down the supplies that Yoongi had left much faster.

Jimin didn’t think they were in any immediate danger. But it was better to be prepared than to find themselves struggling at a later date. He knew most people had left the inner parts of the city during the first couple of years, the heat and dust too much to handle.

For some reason Gangnam specifically had been a hot zone, he often wondered if other parts of the country were like that, a few degrees hotter than other places.

In the same vein he wondered what other countries were like, had their friends and fans across the globe faired any better? He hoped so. He hoped they weren’t as miserable as they were.

Jungkook took the first scouting mission, coming back with a few things, one thing being the most important. A map. They pinned it up on one of the bare walls, and started using it to map the area, marking off the parts they were covering so they didn’t go to one place twice.

It was hard work, and Jimin didn’t get very far during his first trip out. A lot of the buildings were in ruins, and it was so difficult to move around in the ever present heat and dust.

It felt good to be doing something though, he no longer felt like he was waiting for each day to pass. Getting out into the world and doing something again had given him a new spark.

Each day one of them went out, going from street to street in search of anything that could be useful. On his third trip out Jungkook found a few bags of rice hidden in a partially collapsed building. Jimin had found a some art supplies for Taehyung in another.

It was on his seventh skirmish that things went wrong. Jimin had been searching through what had once been a cinema when he heard it. He’d stilled, his whole body on alert. Carefully he readjusted his grip on the crossbow that was always at his side.

Crouching down until he was somewhat hidden, unfortunately where he’d been scouting wasn’t exactly well hidden. Nor was it a good place to see anyone or anything that may be coming for him.

His eyes scanned the area for signs of movement, something had made a noise, and it had been close. He also searched out a better place to hide, his eyes falling on the opening to a cafe.

Most of the building was collapsed, Jimin had took a brief look inside when he’d first got there. It would be a much better place to hide out, the entrance small and easier to cover. He needed to gauge the best time to make a move, whatever was out there could be waiting for him.

Jimin was much further out than he’d ever been since they started the scouting trips. It had taken him a few hours to reach the area. He couldn’t just run back home, it was too far. No, he would need to get to a better hiding place and just wait it out.

Slowly and as quietly as he could he started to move. He tried his best to keep an eye out, scanning the area for any slight sign of movement. He couldn’t see anything, nor hear anything other than his own rapid pulse pounding in his ears.

When his foot slipped on a loose rock he gave in and made a run for it. Hopping over the chunks of broken concrete, the second he began to run he new he’d made a mistake. The snarls and growls filling the air, wolves.

Jimin moved as fast as he could, but they were on him in seconds. One throwing itself at him, knocking him to the grounded, the air pushed from his lungs with the impact.

He made to grab the hunting knife he had strapped to his leg but the animal was on top of his, its hot rancid breathe baring down on him. Jimin kicked up, managing to dislodge the wolf, but it moved a lot faster than he did, and the rest of its pack was closing in.

/Fuck./

Jimin scrambled to a kneeling position just as the wolf pounced on him again, this time he managed to raise up the crossbow, using it as a bat to knock the wolf to the side. He moved as fast as he could, firing an arrow into the wolf before it got back to its feet.

The yelp as the arrow hit just drove its pack mates into a frenzy, the howls and snarls loud as they closed in. Jimin tried to load another arrow but his sweaty hands were slipping on the weapon. The wolves were too close, he didn’t have time.

Another threw itself at Jimin, and he rammed the arrow he’d been trying to load into its throat. At the same time, fumbling for the hunting knife, only just managing to pull it free when a third wolf pounced.

He didn’t have time to attack first, the wolf sinking its razor sharp teeth into his arm. Jimin cried out, the pain searing through him, but he found the strength to jab the knife into the wolf’s side, causing it to release his arm.

Blood poured from the jagged gash, the teeth marks deep. He needed to get out of here. He could hear the rest of the pack closing in. He didn’t know how many there was but they’d be on him in seconds.

Jimin tried to climb towards the cafe, the small opening his only saviour. But it was just too far away, four more wolves appeared, their snarls echoing in the still of the fallen city. Jimin gripped the knife tight, his chest rising and falling in rapid bursts.

The wolves were surrounding him, he could feel their movement behind him. He had to think quickly, how was he going to do this? How was he going to make it out alive. He could see the crossbow where he’d dropped it moments before. Did he he go for it, or try to get to the cafe?

Every second was a second closer to the wolves closing in for good. He made the decision to go for the cafe, even if he reached the bow in time he’d still have to load it. No, it was better to risk getting to the cafe.

The wolves seemed to be waiting, biding their time to see what he would do. He knew the moment he moved they would be upon him.

He looked for the best route to the cafe, it was a few yards away at most but it felt like miles. He took a deep breath, an attempt to calm his nerves. This was his only chance. He made a run for it.

As he predicted the wolves moved the instant he did, he could almost feel their hot breaths on the back of neck the second he began to clamber over the broken pavement.

He was only a few steps away when the hit. Two at once jumping onto his, Jimin slashed with his knife as much as he could. Kicking and slashing at the wolves, but it was no use. They were too big, too strong. Jimin couldn’t fight them off.

He felt their claws ripping through his clothes and skin. The pain excruciating. He was only just holding off their bites with his knife, their maws getting so close to his throat.

He could hear the growls and barks of the other two in the background, an echo of the two baring down on him.

With all his strength Jimin rammed the knife into the eye of the smaller wolf, the howl it let out deafening in such close proximity, but it was enough for the beast to scamper back. The only problem being it took the knife, still lodged in its eye socked, with it.

All Jimin could do now was try to hold the other wolf back, but his strength was failing. He was exhausted and in pain. The wolf snapped at his, its teeth millimetres from his face as he held it back. The weight of the animal crushing his chest.

It was only a matter of time before the other wolves appeared and helped this one take him down, his time short. Jimin could only hope that it would be a swift death, and that his friends didn’t find his mangled body.

Oh god, his friends. Taehyung and Jungkook… what would happen to them? Would they be okay? He’d only just got them back. A flash of light in the corner of his eye pulled his attention, no not light, silver…

The silver shone in the glinting sun as it appeared above him, right as his arms gave way. His last ounce of strength failing at the thought of his friends. A flash of silver and the wolf fell silent.

Jimin’s mind was a hazy mess as he put together what had happened. It had all went so fast, one second he was facing down death, the next the wolf’s head was falling, blood was spraying all over him. Jimin was thankful for his bandana, or he’d have had a mouthful of blood.

He scrambled into a sitting position, shoving the now headless wolf body from himself, and looking up he saw him. His saviour standing over him, dressed head to foot in black, the glint of a familiar sword at his side… Yoongi.

“Are you alright?”

Yoongi reached down to help Jimin up, everything hurt, but he managed to get to his feet.

“I’m alive.” Jimin said.

His head swam as he stood, held up by Yoongi’s strong grip.

“You’re bleeding heavily, we need to get you somewhere safe so I can tend to those wounds.” Yoongi told him.

All Jimin could do was nod, the mixture of exhaustion, pain and blood loss making him feel woozy. He let Yoongi guide him along the street.

His attention focussed on not tripping over his own feet, he didn’t even register the other voices at first.

“Shit, is he alright?”

“I have the med kit here.”

“Let’s get somewhere sheltered first.”

Jimin barely registered the other people, but their voices sounded vaguely familiar, he tried to look up at the one who came to his other side in order to help Yoongi almost carry him along, but as he looked up his vision tipped and everything went black.

***

Everything hurt. That was Jimin’s first thought when he regained consciousness. Everything hurt and he felt like throwing up, so he did. Coughing and spluttering he groaned as he sat up right. A comforting hand rubbing circles on his back.

“You’re okay.” The voice attached to the hand said. “Just take it easy.”

Jimin’s head felt like it was in a vice, his ribs ached and his skin felt like it was on fire. Slowly he opened his eyes, blinking into the dim light of what looked like a kitchen. His vision blurred again.

“He might have a concussion.” Another voice said off to his left.

“Give me the water.” The first voice said, Yoongi.

Jimin remembered now, remembered Yoongi standing over him with his sword glinting in the sun. He had saved him.

He had killed the wolf that had been about to rip Jimin’s throat out. Yoongi was there, he had come back.

“Here, take a few sips.” Yoongi said holding a bottle up to Jimin’s lips.

He did as he was told, take a few sips of lukewarm water. What he wouldn’t have given for a nice ice cold drink right now. He felt too hot, hotter than usual. He felt a hand being held up against his forehead.

“I think he’s spiking a fever.” The second voice said.

Jimin recognised it, but when he tried to look up at the owner his vision swam again. So he stopped trying.

“Give him the antibiotics. God knows what that wolf was carrying.” Another voice said.

Moments later Jimin was being given pills and more water. He just took whatever Yoongi and the others gave him, he didn’t have the energy to fight, plus every time he moved his head felt like it was going to split in two.

“We need to keep him awake, if he has a concussion falling asleep could be deadly.” Someone said.

“I’ll stay with him. Keep going, you should make it back by nightfall if you leave now.” Yoongi said.

“We’re not leaving you hyung.”

“Yes you are, I have more supplies back at the company. We’re running low on water, and Jimin needs rest.” Yoongi told them. “Go and come back tomorrow and we’ll get him back then.”

Jimin didn’t remember much after that, he tried to keep listening to what they were saying but he just felt so tired and sore. The only thing he remembered was Yoongi stopping him from falling asleep.

He spoke in a low grumble, Jimin couldn’t say exactly what was said, but it was there. He made sure to give regular intakes of water, and even another dose of pills later on. At some point Yoongi moved them so he was sat behind him, Jimin’s back up against his chest.

One arm was looped around his waist, holding him steady, the other interlaced with his. Jimin couldn’t remember the last time he held hands with someone. It felt so good to have his hand incased by Yoongi’s larger one, the thumb rubbing softly against his skin.

At some point the pair of them must have dozed off as Jimin awoke hours earlier. The sun was still low, that weird almost dawn light seeping in through boarded up windows. His head was a lot clearer now, and his vision wasn’t giving out every time he moved anymore.

So he took the chance to look around, they were indeed in a kitchen, it was small, probably a cafe. Jimin wondered if it was the cafe he’d been trying to reach when the wolves attacked. The wolves… Jimin’s ribs seemed to ache at the thought. He was sure a couple were broken.

He looked down at his savaged arm, it was bandaged, and he could feel the stitches pulling at his skin when he moved it.

“Careful, you don’t want you stitches to come loose.” Yoongi’s deep voice said from behind him.

“Sorry.”

“How are you feeling?” Yoongi asked.

“Better than I was yesterday.” Jimin told him.

“Good, looks like you managed to skip having a concussion on top of everything else.”

Yoongi shifted behind him, wriggling his way out from where he’d been sat. He moved over to where Jimin could now see he’d left his pack.

Jimin watched as he rummaged through the bag, pulling out a bottle of water.

“Drink that, and take some more of these pills. You were spiking a fever last night but it seems to have gone. It was probably just due to shock and blood loss, but it's better to be safe than sorry.”

Jimin did as he was told, swallowing down a couple of pills with what was left of the water. When he noticed Yoongi didn’t have anything to drink he immediately felt guilty.

“Sorry, I should’ve left some for you.” Jimin said, but Yoongi just shook his head.

“You need it more right now, don’t worry about it.”

“You need water too hyung.”

“Really Jimin-ah, I’m fine.” Yoongi insisted.

Jimin didn’t have the energy to argue, so he just let it drop, though the guilt still lingered. Yoongi checked his wounds after that, when he unwrapped the bandages on his arm Jimin had to physically stop himself from looking away.

It was bad, his skin in shreds where the wolf had bit him. Yoongi had done a good job stitching it up. But he could tell it would be a bitch to heal and prone to infection. He was going to have to be careful.

“I’ll be able to clean it up better and put fresh stitches in back at the company.” Yoongi said as he wrapped the bandage back over it. “The other scratches aren’t as deep, but I think you may have broke a couple of ribs.”

“I think you’re right, breathing is pretty difficult right now. It hurts like hell.” Jimin admitted.

“I have painkillers back there as well. We didn’t have any with us unfortunately.”

Jimin was suddenly reminded of the others who had been with Yoongi, he had a vague sense of knowing the voices who had talked over his savaged body, but he couldn’t quite place them.

Jimin had been about to ask about them when a noise from outside caused them both to fall still and silent. Jimin’s heart was pounding in his chest, fear flooding through his veins at the thought of something else coming for him.

Yoongi put a hand on his knee, reassurance, before picking up his sword and edging towards the door. Jimin watched as Yoongi eased it open slightly, a small crack of light flooding into the room, then the door was being pushed open wider and Taehyung filled the open doorway.

“Oh god, are you okay?” He cried, rushing over to Jimin, completely ignoring Yoongi.

“I’m fine Tae.” Jimin assured, as Taehyung fell to his knees beside him and began to look over his injuries.

“Be careful Taehyung-ah.” Yoongi warned.

Taehyung ignored him, his whole focus on Jimin. He was muttering things about ‘his fault’ and how Jimin ‘shouldn’t have been out there alone.’ Jimin took hold of his hand, and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“TaeTae, I’m okay. Really.” Jimin assured.

Taehyung looked up at him with watery eyes. “I thought I’d lost you again.”

“You can’t lose me that easy Kim Taehyung.” Jimin said with a laugh, which turned into a groan as the pain from his ribs shot through him.

“Yah! Be careful!” Tae scolded, but he gave Jimin a weak smile.

“Are you ready to go?”

Jimin looked up at the sound of a new voice, his heart clenching in his chest as he looked at the person stood in the doorway beside Yoongi.

“Hobi-hyung?” Jimin said weakly. His throat felt thick, and he could barely get the words out.

“Nice to see you a little more coherent Jimin-ah.” Hobi said, giving him one of his signature bright smiles.

Jimin couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Hobi was there, he looked just the same, though his hair was a little longer.

Like Yoongi he was dressed in black, but with a red bandana pooled around his neck where he’d pulled it down.

“Do you think you can stand?” Yoongi asked Jimin, returning to his side.

All Jimin could do was nod.

“The others are keeping watch outside” Hobi said, as Yoongi and Tae helped him to his feet.

It hurt, his ribs aching as he moved. He was grateful there had been no major injuries to his legs, he had a few deep scratches on his thighs, but nothing compared to his arms and chest.

Hobi grabbed Yoongi’s bag and hoisted it onto his back as Yoongi helped Jimin walk out. Since it was still early the sun wasn’t as stifling as usual, more like a typical high heat summer in Seoul. Yoongi pulled Jimin’s bandana up over his face, his touch almost too gentle.

“Just take it slowly okay, there’s no rush.” Yoongi told him.

Jimin couldn’t bring himself to argue, not when every time he breathed in his ribs hurt like hell. It felt like they were moving at a snails pace as they made their way through the cafe.

Taehyung making sure to move anything from their path. It wasn’t the same place Jimin had been headed for, the doorway still intact. Which he was grateful for, he couldn’t imagine crawling through a tiny opening. Stepping outside was a little disorientating.

He couldn’t quite place where he was, thankfully the others seemed to know. Jungkook was waiting right outside the cafe. His knife in one hand, Jimin’s crossbow in the other.

“You okay hyung?” Jungkook asked, his big eyes full of worry.

“I’m okay Jungkookie.” Jimin told him. “Be careful with that bow, it’s sensitive.”

“You don’t have to tell me that, the fucker almost shot me through when he tried loading it.” Replied another familiar voice.

“Jin-hyung?”

Seokjin smiled at him, from where he stood a little way off, weapons poised ready.

“Let’s save the reunion for when we’re back at the company. Right now, let’s focus on getting you home safe.” Seokjin said.

Jimin’s mind was a mess of emotions, his heart felt tight at the sight of him. Not only was Hobi there, but Seokjin too. He turned to look at Yoongi.

‘Namjoon?” He asked.

“Waiting for us back at the company. So let’s get there safe okay.” Yoongi said softly.

Jimin felt like crying. He couldn’t believe it. He gripped Yoongi’s arm tightly. The rush of emotions overwhelming. He didn’t know what think, it felt like a dream. And he’d have believed it was if his body didn’t hurt so damn much.

“Okay, let’s go.” He said.

***

The journey back to the BigHit building was slow. Jimin felt awful holding them back, but he really couldn’t go any faster, it was hard enough to breathe as it was. Yoongi just kept assuring him it was fine. He kept tight a hold of Jimin the whole way.

Taehyung close by. Seokjin led the way, Hobi and Jungkook bringing up the rear. It felt like he had his own personal guard. By the time the BigHit building came into view Jimin felt exhausted. His strength ebbing with every step. Yoongi was half carrying him now.

“Not much further.” Yoongi said quietly, giving his waist an encouraging squeeze.

They had stopped for a moment for Jimin to catch his breath. All he wanted to do was lie down and sleep. His body felt like lead as he moved through the rubble filled streets.

He closed his eyes, counting to ten to calm himself, before starting again. He could do it, they were so close. He would make it back. When Jungkook insisted on carrying Jimin up the stairs once they’d finally reached their building Jimin was too exhausted to put up a fight.

Normally he would’ve been his usual stubborn self and insisted he was fine and could do it himself, but he felt like his willpower would give out at any minute. The relief that washed over him when Jungkook lowered him onto the sofa was indescribable.

It took all his remaining strength not to fall asleep the second his back his the soft cushions. Jimin lay there while the others fussed over him. Yoongi carefully tended to his wounds again, while Seokjin pushed some painkillers past his lips.

They didn’t take the pain away completely, but they dulled it enough for him to function. It also made Yoongi redoing his stitches a lot more bearable. With a full medical kit he did a much better job, and Jimin’s arm looked less mangled now.

Yoongi thoroughly cleaned all of his wounds, his touch delicate and precise. Jimin watched as he went over the deep scratches on his chest. He wanted to reach out and smooth out the crease that formed between Yoongi’s eyebrows as he worked, but he kept his hands at his side.

He didn’t want to make it weird, content just to look at him for a little longer while he worked through some of the emotions running through his mind.

It felt surreal to be back there with Yoongi by his side. He could hear Seokjin and Jungkook talking and Hobi’s loud laugh filled the room. He hadn’t seen Namjoon, but Yoongi said he was there. He wanted to see him, but at the same time it all felt so overwhelming.

Just a day earlier he had thought them all lost, Yoongi included, and now they were there. All seven of them back together.

“Hey, it’s okay.”

Yoongi voice was low as he reached up and wiped the tears that had spilled over onto Jimin’s cheeks.

“You weren’t here.” Jimin said.

“I’m sorry. I- I didn’t think you were going to come back. You left, and I thought you wanted to be on your own.” Yoongi said, not quite meeting his eyes. “I thought… I thought if I could find the others maybe you would come back.”

“Yoongi… I was always going to come back.” Jimin said, and this time he did reach out for him. Taking his hand in his.

“I’m sorry, I should’ve been here waiting.” Yoongi said.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, I’m just happy you’re back.”

Jimin squeezed his hand and Yoongi looked up at him. Every emotion he’d been holding since they’d arrived to an empty building seemed to swirl in his chest like a hurricane. He had so much he wanted to say, but he didn’t know how to say it.

“Hyung I…”

“I know.” Yoongi said, finishing the sentence before Jimin could even get the words out.

Thankfully before he could start crying again Hobi appeared.

“Taehyung made tea, he makes tea now.” He said grinning down at Jimin.

“He cooks as well, it only took an apocalypse to get him in the kitchen.” Jimin joked.

“I heard that!” Taehyung yelled.

“I can’t believe you’re here. That you’re all here.” Jimin said to Hobi as Yoongi finished bandaging him back up before helping him into a sitting position.

“I can’t believe we are either. When Yoongi-hyung found us it felt like a dream.”

“What happened to you?” Jimin asked.

“That’s a very long story.”

Jimin turned to see Namjoon stood in the doorway, like Jimin his arm was heavily bandaged and in a makeshift sling. But his dimpled smile was just the same.

“Hyung…” Jimin said.

“Don’t start crying on us, we’ve already had enough of that from Taehyung.” Seokjin said, appearing in his line of sight.

Jimin rubbed at his wet eyes. “I can’t help it. I thought- I thought you were all…”

“We all thought that, but we’re not and we’re home now.” Namjoon said.

They all ended up sat around Jimin, Yoongi pressed up against his side. It really did feel like a dream. All seven of them squeezed on and around one sofa like they had done so many times before.

All that was missing was the camera in front of them, and their fans on the other side of the screen. Jimin did end up crying, which was like a domino falling, each of them following suit, until they were all a sobbing mess. They each told their stories.

Namjoon telling how he had found Seokjin on the very first day. They had both been at their dorm, the building had collapsed during the first wave of quakes. The pair of them only just getting out and to safety.

They’d spent the first year looking around Seoul for the others before heading for the mountains

“We’d heard people say it was better up there, that the heat wasn’t so bad.” Namjoon told them.

He went on to explain how he and Seokjin and found a place to stay in the north of Seoul, they never made it into the mountains. Landslides preventing them getting very far.

They’d managed to barricade themselves up in a small house, much in the way that Jimin had. They had found Hobi a year ago whilst out looking for supplies.

“I had been headed home when everything went to shit.” Hobi told them. “I’ve been in Seoul the whole time, just moving around the city just hoping I would find you guys.”

He explained how he’d went back to Gangnam almost immediately but no one had been there.

Jimin imagined they’d missed each other by days, if not hours. He told them how he’d been on his own the whole time, constantly searching for them.

“I knew my family hadn’t made it. I spoke to my sister the day a quake hit, she was visiting our parents, they were on the phone to me when…” His voice trailed off and Jimin felt his heart break for him.

Seokjin squeezed his shoulder in comfort.

“None of our families made it.” Seokjin said, he looked over at Taehyung who shook his head confirming the same for them.

“I’m glad in a way, it’s been fucking hell living through this.” Hobi said.

Jimin could only agree. He would’ve hated to see his parents and brother struggling through this, and after what Jungkook had told them about the devastation left in Busan, he was glad they hadn’t had to suffer through it.

“When we found Hoseokie, it was a like a miracle. We’ve been together ever since, continuing his search for you guys.” Seokjin said.

“He lived up to his name, gave us a new hope.” Namjoon said, looking over at Hobi fondly.

“Then Yoongi turned up.”

Yoongi told them how after Jimin had shown up, he too had been filled with a renewed hope that the others may have been out there somewhere. When Jimin hadn’t returned after a couple a weeks, he made the decision to start searching again.

It took him forever, and a few close calls with wild animals and even wilder people before they crossed paths. All Jimin could do was lie there and listen to their stories.

It felt surreal to be surrounded by them all, their boisterous noise like a blanket wrapping around him and comforting him after so long feeling lost and in pain. He didn’t say anything, letting Taehyung and Jungkook fill them in on his story.

He could feel Yoongi pressed up beside him, he didn’t know when it had happened but their hands hand become intwined, Yoongi’s much bigger hand engulfing his own smaller one as it always had.

It was almost grounding, having that hand holding his. Like he could finally let all the exhaustion that had been hanging over him for all these years slip away.

Jimin didn’t remember falling asleep, but he woke a few hours later in the darkness of the lounge. Someone had moved him so he was lying down again, his head propped on up on a cushion, a blanket thrown over him.

It was quiet, all he could hear was his own breathing, no, it was someone else’s breathing. He turned to look beside him, sat on the floor, leaning up against the sofa was Yoongi. He was reading, the dim light of a candle allowing him to see the worn pages.

Jimin watched him for a little while, drinking in the sight of the person he’d so longed to see. His hair was longer still than when Jimin had last seen him. He had a fading bruise on his cheekbone, and the remnants of a scrape on his jaw.

As Yoongi turned a page Jimin could see the scars that marred his hands, the ones he’d felt against his skin as Yoongi had held his hand hours before. He wanted to reach out, to trace the fine lines with his fingers, to ask what stories they held.

He thought of his own scars, scattered across his skin like a map of his life. They held so much in them, things he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to talk about, and things he wished he could scream from the rooftops.

As he lay watching Yoongi he thought about the others, the five that completed their seven, and how they each had their own stories and scars.

“You should sleep some more.” Yoongi whispered, a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips.

“How long have I been out?” Jimin asked.

“Few hours.” He said closing his book and looking up at him. “But you’ve been through a lot, you need more.”

“I’m okay.” Jimin assured, though his entire body ached.

“Are you?”

Jimin thought about it, and honestly, he wasn’t actually sure. Everything had happened so fast and it was as though his brain hadn’t had time to catch up yet.

What with the wolf attack, Yoongi and the others showing up, the fact that he was still dealing with the aftermath of his breakdown. He’d been putting on a brave face, the same as he always did.

“No.” He said, voice barely audible.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here.” Yoongi said, reaching up and taking hold of his hand. “I should’ve been here to protect you.”

“I can look after myself.” Jimin replied, almost unconsciously.

It was something he’d been telling himself since the day of the fallout, he could look after himself, he didn’t need anyone. It became almost a mantra, especially after Taehyung left. At times it was the only thing that kept him going.

The promise to himself that he could do it, he could look after himself and be okay. And the tiny spark buried deep in his heart that told him there was still hope, that he wasn’t alone in the world stayed alive thanks to it.

“You don’t have to anymore.” Yoongi told him, giving his hand a squeeze.

Jimin mustered up a smile. They fell back into silence, Jimin lost for what to say.

There was so much he could say, and yet none of it seemed to come forth. So instead he just lay there, holding onto Yoongi, terrified that if he let go he’d lose him again.

***

He must’ve fallen back asleep, because the next time he opened his eyes the smell of eggs was filling the room and there was a lot of clattering and hushed voices coming from the kitchen area. He could hear Jungkook shushing someone and it made him smile.

“You’re gonna wake Jimin-hyung!” He heard him scold.

“He’s gonna need to wake up anyway so he can eat breakfast!” Came Seokjin’s reply.

Jimin almost laughed at how normal it sounded. The youngest and oldest bickering and arguing as usual, just like they’d always done.

He could just imagine the pair of them playfully slapping each other and causing trouble. He’d missed them so much. With a stifled groan Jimin sat up and looked over the back of the sofa at them. As predicted they were stood side by side elbowing each other at random intervals.

“Nothing changes huh?”

Jimin turned to see Namjoon sat on the beat up arm chair, a book on his lap and his glasses perched on his nose. A picture of his old self.

“It would seem that way.” Jimin said.

“You feeling okay?” Namjoon asked.

“Sore, but yeah. Better than I was yesterday that’s for sure.” Jimin assured.

Truthfully he was hurting quite a lot, his entire body felt stiff and achey. His arm, which had took the brunt of the attack, the worst.

“I’ll grab some more meds, you’re due another dose.” Namjoon said getting to his feet, but Seokjin had already beaten him to it. He appeared with a bottle of water and a bunch of pills for Jimin to take along with a bowl of rice and eggs.

“Eat before you take those ones.” He said, “you can’t take them on an empty stomach.”

Jimin did as he was told as Seokjin watched over him, forever the caring hyung. It warmed Jimin’s heart. He’d missed this, being looked after by the older members.

They’d all doted on him, Taehyung and Jungkook so much. Always making sure they were well fed and looked after, having Seokjin there making sure he ate every last grain of rice felt like old times.

Jungkook came over with the rest of the food, spreading it out on the table that sat in front of the sofa before disappearing to wake the others. Yoongi was the last to arrive, hair wet from the shower, Jimin had to avert his eyes, old feelings stirring at the sight.

“We’re gonna head out to the safe house and collect everything after we’re done eating.” Hoseok said, as they all ate.

“You’re going back out?” Jungkook asked.

“Yeah, we were staying in a safe house not far from where Jimin was attacked, had planned to go back for it after coming here and dropping off what we were carrying.” Hoseok explained. “Me and Namjoonie are gonna go.”

“I’ll come with you. It’s my turn to go out scouting for supplies anyway.” Jungkook said.

“Scouting?” Yoongi asked.

“We’ve been working our way across the area, checking for anything we could possibly use.” Jimin told them. “That’s what I was doing when the wolves showed up.”

“We’ll probably need it even more now that there’s seven of us again.” Taehyung added. “Hyung’s supplies won’t last as long.”

“He’s right.” Seokjin said, “the more supplies we have the better.”

“Have you found much?” Namjoon asked.

“Not really, a lot of it was already taken. But we’ve hit lucky on a couple of occasions, managing to get into some of the collapsed buildings. A lot of them have shifted since they originally fell, so they’re accessible now when they weren’t before.” Jungkook told him.”

“That makes sense, there was a quake a few months back, and a lot of structural movement.” Yoongi said, “I was able to get into a part of this building that I couldn’t when I first got here.”

“We should keep going with the searches then, but now that there’s more of us I suggest we go in pairs at least.” Seokjin said. “After what happened to Jimin, it’s clearly not safe to be out there alone.”

“Hyung’s right. Having someone watching your back is a lot better.” Yoongi added, “there’s no reason not to now that we’re together.”

Jimin just listened as they continued to discuss the scouting trips that he, Taehyung and Jungkook had been taking.

They showed them the map they were using to cross off the areas they’d already checked. And less than an hour later, Hoseok, Namjoon and Jungkook had headed out to the safe house and to scout the surrounding area.

Tae decided to show Seokjin the chickens and garden leaving him and Yoongi alone again. Jimin knew he’d done it on purpose, giving him a chance to talk to Yoongi, but he still didn’t know what to say. There was so much swirling around in his head, so many thoughts and feelings.

“I should check your wounds.” Yoongi said after a little while, clearly feeling the awkward silence that had fallen over them as much as Jimin had.

Jimin laid back down, letting Yoongi carefully unbutton the shirt he’d thrown on.

His heart felt like it was hammering in his chest as he watched Yoongi unfasten each button with careful hands before gently unwrapping his bandages to check the cuts on his chest and stomach. Jimin hadn’t realised how badly he’d been cut up there when they’d first gotten back.

His head a mess of pain, stress and confusion. He’d simply let Yoongi tend to the wounds and tried to stop himself from passing out. Seeing the deep scratches now, he understood why he’d been in so much pain. The wolf had cut him to shreds.

He’d only really focused on his mangled arm, but now he could see how badly he’d taken it elsewhere. Yoongi carefully checked over his battered body, cleaning them carefully and applying fresh bandages.

Jimin had to stop watching at one point, glaring up at the ceiling instead, he jaw clenched tight as the cuts stung when Yoongi cleaned them.

“Sorry, I’ll be as quick as I can.” Yoongi said as Jimin winced over an especially deep cut.

“It’s fine.” Jimin insisted.

While it wasn’t the most comfortable getting his wounds checked, he really didn’t mind too much. It felt nice to have Yoongi’s hands on his body, feeling the calloused skin against his own.

He almost had to laugh at himself, the fact that he was craving physical touch so much that he was happy to have his injuries taken care of. Jimin had always been one for physical touch, Taehyung had once said it was one of his love languages.

He’d spent so much time throwing himself over the other members it became second nature for them to catch him. They thought nothing of him sitting on their laps, or curling around them to sleep, especially in the early days when they were living so close to one another.

But even after that, he still found himself pressed up against one of them most of the time, the feeling of their bodies against his an ever present source of comfort.

Yoongi was the only one he wasn’t keen on his touch, or anyone’s touch for that matter, but that’s what made it all the more special.

Jimin always respected his boundaries, they all did, but those times when he got to wrap his arms around his broad shoulders or lean against his side when they were shoved together on a too small sofa were precious to him.

He knew Yoongi tolerated a lot from them all, especially when it came to how touchy-feely they were. But for Jimin he was even more so, they’d all known it.

Jimin was the only one who didn’t get complained at whenever he got clingy, or at least he didn’t get it as much as the others. He was also the only one who was never scolded for sneaking into Yoongi’s bed whenever he got lonely.

He remembered doing that a lot in the early days, climbing into his bunk when the pressure of it all got too much, or he when he felt especially homesick. Yoongi would grumble and whine whenever Taehyung did it, but never for Jimin.

It’s why the others always teased them about it, calling Jimin his favourite. Of course back then Jimin loved the attention, but also secretly preened at the thought of being Yoongi’s favourite.

Of course Yoongi always brushed off the accusations, always insisting he didn’t have favourites. It seemed like a millions years ago, those teasing comments about how close he and Yoongi were, about Yoongi’s apparent favouritism.

And now Jimin felt like he could barely talk to him. He hated it.

“Just your arm to do.” Yoongi said softly after he’d finished up on the scratches across his chest and legs.

Jimin braced himself as he let Yoongi slowly unwrap the bandages, wincing as the air hit the raw skin.

Yoongi carefully checked over the stitches he’d put in the night before. Jimin had been in a haze of pain at that point and hadn’t even remembered it happening until that moment, but it all came back to him now.

The way Yoongi had been so gentle with him, his reassuring whispers as he worked over his torn up arm. The “I know…” what had that meant? Jimin hadn’t even known what he was going to say at that point, too overwhelmed with emotions.

Yet there had been something in Yoongi’s voice that wrapped him in a comforting blanket at the words. Soothed his aching heart.

“Hyung, why didn’t you ask me to stay?”

The words came out before he could even think about stopping them. Yoongi’s hands stilled and he didn’t look up at Jimin. His eyes still focussed on his arm. The silence between them seemed to drag on, a knife point dangling over them.

Jimin was just about to tell him it didn’t matter when Yoongi finally spoke.

“I- I didn’t think you wanted to stay.” He said softly, “when I mentioned you going back, you seemed to jump straight to it.”

Jimin felt a little sick. Had he really gave the impression that he didn’t want to be there?

“That’s not what I meant, fuck, when you brought it up I thought you wanted me to leave.” Jimin said.

He remembered the sinking feeling he’d felt when Yoongi asked the question.

He hadn’t even gave it a second thought until that moment, had been so caught up in finally seeing Yoongi again, the idea of leaving hadn’t even crossed his mind. So when Yoongi brought it up, he’d automatically thought that was his way of saying he couldn’t stay.

“Jimin-ah, no, that’s not what I meant at all.” Yoongi said, he sat back on his heels and finally looked up at Jimin.

There was pain in his eyes, so much pain it made Jimin want to reach out and pull him into his arms. “I just wanted to know how long I would have you here, I didn’t really know what you had to go back to.”

“I didn’t have anything, not really. Nothing I wouldn’t leave behind in a second for you.”

Yoongi didn’t say anything for a moment, and Jimin’s heart was left thrumming in his chest.

“I wanted to ask you to stay, I stopped myself because I thought leaving was what you wanted and all I ever wanted was for you to be happy.” Yoongi said at last. “Saying goodbye was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I just hoped you would come back.

I waited, but when the weeks kept going by I started losing hope. That’s when I went to look for the others. I thought- I thought if I could bring them back then maybe you’d want to stay.”

Jimin could feel the tears filling his eyes, his heart ached for Yoongi. The thought that this whole time he’d thought Jimin didn’t want to be there with him, that the only reason he’d come back was for the others when Yoongi was the one he truly needed.

“I should’ve been more patient, waited longer, or left a note or something.” He said, reaching up to take hold of Jimin’s uninjured hand. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here Jiminie.”

“Hyung, I…” Jimin didn’t know what to say. He had so many emotions running through him. “I’m the one who is sorry, I shouldn’t have left or I should’ve came back sooner. My stupid stubbornness made me stay away.”

“Jimin-ah.” Yoongi said, in that familiar cadence that always made Jimin’s heart skip a beat.

“Yoongi,” Jimin said, shuffling to a sitting position so he could see him better. “I’ve been stupid, so stupid, not just now but my whole fucking life. I need you hyung, more than you could ever know, just you would’ve been more than enough.”

He could feel the tears falling now, could feel the wetness on his cheeks and he reached up to brush them away but Yoongi’s hands beat him too it. He looked back at him as Yoongi wiped away his tears to see Yoongi himself crying, his pretty feline eyes tinged red.

Yoongi squeezed his hand, and there felt like ten years worth of emotions in it. He opened his mouth to say more when he heard Seokjin’s voice headed their way. Yoongi just gave his hand another squeeze.

“We have plenty time to talk later.” He said, “let’s get this bandaged up again.”

All Jimin could do was nod, before letting Yoongi pull his hand free and go back to checking his wounds. Seokjin appearing in the doorway seconds later.

Jimin didn’t get a chance to speak to Yoongi again that day and part of him was glad. He was so overwhelmed with his own emotions he didn’t think he could actually have a coherent conversation.

He was grateful to be distracted by the others hovering around him, constantly checking that he was okay. It gave him a chance to not think about anything for a little while, to just let himself be distracted.

He needed a chance to get his head on straight before he spoke to Yoongi again. There was a lot he wanted to say, things that had been left unsaid for far too long.

He’d gone five years living with constant heartache, he wasn’t about to carry on that way. He’d lost so much, and somehow been lucky enough to get it back. He wasn’t about to let it go again.

It ended up being over a week later before he got to be alone with Yoongi. He’d forgotten what it was like to live with six other people, and the noisy chaos that came with it. He wasn’t complaining though, he’d missed it so much.

Always having someone around, no matter what time of the day. They carried on with scouting plans that he, Taehyung and Jungkook had started and quickly fell into a routine for cooking and taking care of the building.

Jimin was even allowed to help out on easier tasks after a couple of days resting. He didn’t think he could’ve spent much more time laying about on the sofa, even if his injuries still bothered him.

He was happy to just do something again. Most of the time it was just helping Taehyung feed the chickens, but it was better than nothing.

“I think this one likes me the best.” Taehyung said as he scooped up a rust coloured chicken. “She follows me around whenever I come up here.”

“That’s because she knows you have the food.” Jimin said with a laugh.

They’d been up with the chickens for about half an hour now, Taehyung avoiding cleaning duty, Jimin just looking for something to do. They ended up sat on the small bench that Yoongi had built, the chickens clucking about around their feet.

The rust coloured one that Tae had grabbed sat comfortable on his lap. Jimin had never imagined chickens would like to be petted, but apparently this one did.

“Have you spoken to hyung yet?” Taehyung asked.

Jimin had filled him in about his and Yoongi’s last conversation, him being the only one who knew about Jimin’s long term feelings for his hyung. He knew the others suspected, and had asked about it a few times but Taehyung was the only one who knew the whole truth.

“No, we haven’t had a chance yet.” Jimin told him. “I think everyone just wants to be together at the minute.”

“I get that, sometimes I feel like they’re not gonna be there when I come back if I leave the room.” Taehyung admitted.

He understood what he meant, every morning when he woke up he was filled with anxiety, wondering if it had all been a dream and that they weren’t all there. It only eased when he’d saw them.

“I’m sure you’ll get some time soon, if not just let me know and I’ll make sure the others are distracted. Give you a chance.”

“Thanks Tae, maybe we’ll be able to talk when he gets back tonight.”

Yoongi and Jungkook were out on a scouting trip. They’d left before Jimin had woken up. His stomach was in knots at the thought of them out there, it felt that way whenever any of them left.

It had been bad enough before, but after his encounter with the wolves he’d been even more nervous about anyone going out into the city.

“How’s your arm holding up?” Taehyung asked.

“Better, Jin-hyung changed the bandages this morning and he said its healing well.” Jimin said. “It doesn’t hurt as much either, just itchy where the stitches are.”

“Thank god we had all those meds and first aid supplies.”

“Yep, and Yoongi-hyung’s excellent sewing skills.”

Jimin couldn’t help but smile at that. The idea that Yoongi putting stitches in his torn up arm was akin to something like embroidery. Though he supposed they were much the same, only one hurt like a bitch when on the receiving end of the needle and thread.

He looked down at his arm, the bandages were neatly wrapped but Seokjin wasn’t the one that came to mind when he thought about getting his dressings changed, no, it was Yoongi’s careful fingers that lingered at the forefront of his mind.

The gentle touch of his hands on Jimin’s tender skin. He craved that feeling again, to have those hands on him again. He tugged his sleeves back down from where they were pushed up to his elbows and shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie, face flushing pink.

“Don’t know how you’re not boiling in that thing.” Taehyung commented, looking at the hoodie.

Jimin just shrugged. He was a bit too hot, but he couldn’t bring himself to take it off. He’d been wearing it a lot, a piece of Yoongi always with him.

He’d considered stealing one of Yoongi’s t-shirts instead, but there was something comforting about the weight of it. It was like a blanket that shielded him from his anxieties. Just one of the ways that Yoongi’s presence grounded him.

It had always been that way, ever since they’d met. Yoongi had been the one he was drawn to when he was feeling adrift. He needed that anchor to keep him settled and safe.

The hoodie was just an extension of that, something that he could keep with him and remind him of Yoongi even when he wasn’t around.

***

The sun had set when Jimin headed up to the little garden. He’d tossed and turned enough for one night, giving up on sleep he headed up the many staircases to the only exposed part of the building.

Night time was eerie in the city, the crumbling building’s haunting shadows surrounding them. The air was still, that too quiet silence ever present. Jimin tucked his hood up as he headed to where the floor dropped off, standing on the edge looking out over the former capital.

He could’t really see it as that anymore, Korea didn’t feel like a country anymore, just a wasteland of destruction and despair. Yet he didn’t feel that despair anymore. For the first time in years he felt a spark of happiness.

Being surrounded by his family, because that’s what they were to him, family. It may not be by blood, but they had something more than that. He truly felt like their seven souls were intertwined, even more so as he stood in the ruins of Seoul reunited with them once again.

He felt the tears prick in his eyes as he thought of his members. How he’d felt so hopeless without them by his side. They’d often said destiny had brought them together all those years ago, and it seemed that destiny wasn’t done with them yet.

They belonged together, and it made Jimin’s heart slowly begin to heal.

“Don’t get too close to the edge.”

The sound of Yoongi’s voice made him jump. He’d been so lost in thought, staring out over the cityscape that he hadn’t even heard the door creak open. But there he was, standing a few feet away in a faded t-shirt and jeans.

“Hyung, you scared me.” Jimin said, stepping back from the edge.

“Sorry, I didn’t expect anyone else to be up here.” He said.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Me neither.”

Jimin sank down onto the floor as Yoongi walked over who joined him. The two of them sat side by side looking out over the dark city. It wasn’t like nighttime used to be, gone were the ever present streetlights, and the gentle hum of a city alive after dark.

Jimin knew if the dust hadn’t been there, clogging the atmosphere, they would’ve been able to see the stars. He couldn’t remember the last time he saw the stars.

“D’you remember when we were in Hawaii, and we stayed up all night talking under the stars.” Yoongi said, as though reading his mind.

“Yeah, feels like a lifetime ago.”

“Everything feels like a lifetime ago. It barely feels real, like it was all a dream and this was always the reality.”

Jimin looked over at him, at the lines that were etched on his face, the sadness that lingered in his gaze over the city.

“I keep hoping this is the dream.” Jimin said, turning back to cityscape. “That I’m just gonna wake up one day and Sejin is gonna be banging on my door telling me I’m gonna be late again.”

Yoongi huffed a laugh, “you were always late.”

“No, everyone else was just early.” Jimin said defiantly.

“Do you ever think about them, the fans I mean.” Yoongi asked.

“All the time. I wonder what happened to them, if any of them are still alive and trying to survive each day like we are. I wonder if they think about us.”

“I’m sure they do, I think somewhere out there we have army still remembering us they way we do them.” Yoongi said.

Jimin liked to think he was right. That those who’d survived still kept them in their hearts the way he and the other members did.

He could never forget them, they were just as much a part of them as the members had been. It had been bangtan and army against the world.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to make the mood low.” Yoongi said after a moment.

“You didn’t, I like talking about them. Even if it hurts. I want to keep remembering all of that stuff, our lives from before, it means too much to forget it.” Jimin said.

“You’re right. We should hold onto those memories.”

They fell into silence again and Jimin found himself looking at Yoongi rather than the city, he wanted to reach out to him, but he was still too scared.

He had so much to say, so much he was feeling, but he was still the scared teenager he had been when he’d first fallen in love with Min Yoongi.

It felt crazy to him thinking about back then, when he was all overcharged emotions and hormones, still discovering who he was and who he wanted to be. Yoongi had been his first real love, he’d spent years denying it. Terrified of his own feelings and what they meant.

By the time he’d finally accepted them, and himself, their friendship was too important to him to risk. He wished he’d been braver back then, had just told Yoongi how he felt, because now it felt so overwhelming that he could barely speak.

“I’m sorry.” Yoongi said softly, breaking Jimin from his reverie.

“What for?”

“I don’t know, everything I guess?” Yoongi said, “that day, when I saw you for the first time since everything happened I didn’t know what to do. I thought I was imagining you, but you were real.

I recognised you the moment I saw you, then you spoke and it was like my heart stopped. You were there, and you were alive and giving me shit like you always did.”

“Yah! I was protecting myself!”

“You were being a little shit and you know it.” Yoongi said smiling.

Jimin elbowed him in the side, which only made Yoongi’s smile bigger.

“I should’ve told you then, right there, but I guess I was always a coward.”

“What are you talking about?” Jimin asked.

Yoongi took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment before turning to look at him.

“Jimin, I- I didn’t ask you to stay that day because I was terrified that you’d say no and leave me anyway. Because losing you again would have broken my heart beyond repair, so I thought it was better to just let you go before that could happen.

I didn’t ask you to stay, but I should have. I should have asked you to stay with me, and be with me because… because I love you Jiminie and I don’t know what to do without you in my life.”

The words came out so fast Jimin could barely register what he was saying.

Tears filled Yoongi’s eyes as he looked at Jimin, looked at him with so much feeling.

“Hyung I…”

“You don’t have to say anything back, I know it’s a lot and I probably should’ve told you this a long time ago. But I just needed to say it, and I understand if you don’t feel the same.” Yoongi said, dropping his gaze and looking down at his scarred hands.

Jimin’s chest felt tight, his head a mess of thoughts and feelings. Did Yoongi just say what he think he did? Did he really just say that he loved him?

Jimin didn’t know what to say, he’d spent so much time thinking about how he was going to confess his own feelings that he was completely thrown when Yoongi was the one to do it first.

Jimin could only stare at him, at his pinched eyebrows, and the way his lips had turned into a pout. Fuck, Jimin was so in love with this man. All he wanted to to was kiss him, to pull him into his arms and kiss him. So he did.

Words couldn’t have portrayed the way he was feeling in that moment anyway, so instead he shifted so that he was kneeling, reaching out to lift Yoongi’s chin with his fingers as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to his pouting lips.

He felt Yoongi still underneath him, a small gasp slipping out, before hands grabbed his hoodie, Yoongi’s hoodie, fisting them and pulling him closer. The next thing he knew he was in Yoongi’s lap, his arms around Yoongi’s neck as they poured their hearts into a kiss.

It was messy and heated, and Jimin felt like he was on fire as he kissed Yoongi like his whole life depended on it. When they broke apart his chest was heaving, Yoongi’s too as they looked at each other.

“Yoongi, you know…” Jimin breathed.

“I know.” Yoongi replied.

Jimin kissed him again, taking it slower this time. Savouring the feeling of his lips against his, the caress of his tongue against his own.

He could feel Yoongi’s hands at his back, resting just above his waist, holding him steady, keeping him grounded as he poured his heart out. How long they stayed like that he wasn’t sure, it didn’t matter, nothing else mattered.

“We should probably head back inside.” Yoongi said softly.

He was resting his forehead against Yoongi’s shoulder, just breathing him in, as they sat wrapped in each other. He turned his head slightly, pressing a kiss against Yoongi’s neck. He wanted to stay there forever.

“Just a little longer.” He mumbled into his neck.

“Okay, but my legs are going numb, so five minutes.” Yoongi said, a teasing lilt in his voice.

Jimin wriggled where he sat in his lap, just to be annoying causing Yoongi to slap his ass lightly.

“You’re such a little shit.”

Ten minutes later they were walking back down to their rooms, Jimin’s hand nestled in Yoongi’s. It felt almost like their hands were made for each other, perfectly moulding together.

When they finally reached the floor where their bedrooms lay, they lingered by Jimin’s door for a moment. Neither wanting to let go of the other.

“Can I ask you something.” Yoongi said after a moment.

“Of course.”

“Were you sleeping in my studio? When I wasn’t here I mean.”

“I- yeah.” Jimin admitted. “I wanted to be close to you.”

“Is that why you’ve been wearing my hoodie as well?”

Jimin nodded.

“You should really wash that by the way.” Yoongi teased, Jimin elbowed him again. “Yah!”

“Shush! You’ll wake everyone up.” Jimin said, grinning at him.

“You’re the one who elbowed me in the ribs!” Yoongi retorted, but there was no malice in his voice.

They fell quiet again. All Jimin could think about was how much he wanted to stay with Yoongi, he didn’t want to just go off to his bedroom and end their night there.

“Do you- do you want to go there now?” Yoongi asked, his voice quiet and a little unsure.

“Yeah.” Jimin replied, struggling to stop the his smile from growing so big it split his face in two.

He took the initiative and pulled Yoongi across the corridor and into the Genius Lab. He stopped when he saw the changes. The sofa was gone, and now a mattress lay on the floor, a mess of blankets on top.

Yoongi had also pinned a couple of photos to the wall beside it, including the one of him he’d found the first time he’d came into the studio. There was another of the two of them, he’d taken that picture with his polaroid camera.

He’d wondered where it had gone when he couldn’t find it in the box full of his belongings. His heart warmed at the sight of it. Beside them was another of the seven of them, taken when they were still trainees right before their debut.

Yoongi coming up behind him saw his gaze fixed on the photos.

“I found them with your things.” Yoongi said, “the one of us and of the group. I took them with me when I went to look for the others.”

“I wondered where that one had gone, thought it had gotten lost.” Jimin said, sinking down onto the mattress after kicking his boots off.

He trailed his fingers over the picture, fond memories of the moment it was taken flooding through him.

He felt the mattress dip as Yoongi sat down beside him. Looking over his shoulder he could see Yoongi watching him, everything felt different between them.

It was strange, for so long he’d just been pushing his feelings down, never imagining that one day he could not only feel them freely, but have them returned.

Yoongi had been such a massive presence in his life for so long, it was terrifying to think that their relationship was going to change. He didn’t even know what Yoongi’s confession meant for them, where would they go from here?

It was completely uncharted territory, for both of them. Of course what he wanted was for them to be together, he wanted to love him and be loved in return. To spend their quiet moments together as well as their laughter and joy.

Back before the fallout he’d often imagined what it would be like to be Min Yoongi’s boyfriend, how they could go on little dates at cute cafes or walks along the river Han. How they could hold hands and share hidden kisses when the cameras weren’t there.

He’d pictured the day they revealed it all, the backlash they would’ve faced, but also the support from the fans who really cared about them for who they were, not just who they were perceived to be.

He’d imagined all the rough with the good, but in the end had been too afraid to ever try. To tell Yoongi how he felt, to take that risk and chase what his heart truly desired. Everything was different now. The world was different, none of it mattered anymore.

They’d all lost so much, too much. He couldn’t lose anything more. He wouldn’t let himself lose it. Instead he would face his fears, push away the uncertainty and open his heart to the man he’d fallen in love with a long time ago.

They ended up laying in bed together, side by side on their backs. Jimin stared up at the ceiling, it felt like he was back up in the garden, on the edge of the crumbling building. Standing on the precipice of something big.

He felt Yoongi’s fingers grazed his where they lay between them and he smiled, his heart fluttering as Yoongi took hold of his hand, intwining their fingers.

He looked over only to find Yoongi watching him, he’d been so lost in thought he hadn’t noticed him rolling onto his side. He gave Jimin one of his small smiles, the ones that always made him feel warm inside. He looked back up at the ceiling, steeling his nerves before speaking.

“I love you too, I didn’t say it before but I do. So much that sometimes I can barely breathe.” Jimin said, he turned back to look at Yoongi, rolling onto his side so they were facing each other. “I love you Yoongi, I’ve loved you since I was 19 years old and I won’t ever stop.”

Yoongi reached out and brushed Jimin’s hair back from his face, letting his hand come to rest on his cheek. He rubbed his cheekbone with his thumb and Jimin wanted to melt into his touch.

“All that time we wasted.” Yoongi said at last. “But not anymore okay, I love you and I want to be with you.”

“Me too.” Jimin said, wrapping his other hand around two still clasped together between them.

Jimin felt like his heart was going to explode it felt so full. He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to feel happy again like his was in that moment. No longer did he feel lost or adrift.

He had his love, and his family back, and sure he would continue to mourn those who had been lost in the fall, but he actually felt hopeful for the future, that his shattered heart would mend and he would be okay.

*

The next few days moved by in a happy blur. Jimin still wasn’t allowed to help out with any of the scouting trips or anything physically hard going, but he didn’t care. Most of his time was now spent following Yoongi around purely so they could be close to each other.

None of the others had seemed surprised when they revealed their new relationship, because that’s what it was. Its was a relationship. They’d spent a few hours talking about everything the morning after their confessions.

Jimin discovered Yoongi had developed feelings during their trip to Hawaii, or at least that was when he’d realised. They had both spent so many years afraid to tell each other in fear of losing the other as a friend. It all seemed so stupid now in hindsight.

They’d talked about what it meant for them going forward, and they’d both agreed they didn’t want to waste anymore time. After everything that had happened over the last few years it seemed pointless to worry about anything other than their own happiness.

They had so much time to catch up on, and Jimin was so excited. For the first time since the fallout he was genuinely excited about life again. He wanted to live, to thrive even.

It had begun when they had all been reunited, and now with Yoongi by his side everything felt like it was going to be okay again.

“Can you pass me that screwdriver.” Yoongi asked.

Jimin was sat on a box in one of the former meeting rooms which Yoongi had converted into a workroom. He grabbed the screwdriver and handed it over. Yoongi had been building a planter to grow some seeds that Taehyung had found in. Jimin happily watching him work.

Yoongi had always been pretty handy, and now it seemed like he was made for it. Jimin could admit that there was something really attractive about the watching him work.

He was fully enjoying the show, almost entranced as he watched the way the muscles in Yoongi’s arms flexed as he cut and sanded the wood. In a way he was reminded of their earlier days, when Jimin would hang about Yoongi’s studio just watching him work. Some things never change.

“You don’t have to stay here and watch me y’know.” Yoongi said after another hour.

“But I like watching you.” Jimin countered.

Yoongi laughed, shaking his head. “Surely it’s boring just watching me sand bits of wood?”

“Nope, not at all.” Jimin assured.

“If you’re sure. I’ll try to make our next day a bit more romantic though.”

“What’s more romantic than watching your hot boyfriend play with his wood?” Jimin said, smirking.

“Yah that was terrible!” Yoongi groaned.

“I blame Jin-hyung, being back in his presence has skewed my sense of humour.” Jimin said laughing.

“Sure, not like your jokes weren’t terrible before.”

“I am deeply offended by that notion.”

“Of course you are.” Yoongi said, rolling his eyes.

Jimin just laughed again. It felt good to laugh, he felt like he hadn’t laughed in forever. He liked how he was doing it regularly now, being surrounded by his members allowed him to smile and laugh freely again. He hadn’t realised how much he’d missed it.

“Really though, we should do something like a proper date.” Yoongi said after a while.

“There’s an abandoned restaurant a few streets down, we could have rendezvous amongst the crumbling walls.” Jimin teased.

“I’m serious! I want to do something nice for you.” Yoongi said, his mouth turning down in a pout.

Jimin wanted to coo at his cuteness.

“I’m sorry, but really hyung we don’t need to do anything special.” Jimin insisted.

He went over to Yoongi, brushing his too long hair back off his face and pressing a kiss to his temple. “Everything we do is perfect as it is, as long as I’m with you.” He added.

Yoongi wiped the dust off his hands before grabbing Jimin by the waist and pulling him close.

“You’re too perfect did you know that?” He said, softly.

“I can’t be perfect, I’m not you.” Jimin replied, which made the apples of Yoongi’s cheeks flush pink.

Jimin leaned in for a kiss, letting his arms slip around Yoongi’s neck. It still felt surreal to be able to kiss Yoongi like that, so freely and without thought.

For so long he’d imagined what it would be like to be held in his arms like that, to kiss him, and none of it had been close to how it actually felt in real life. It was indescribable, the most incredible and wonderful thing.

“I love you.” Yoongi whispered against his lips.

“I love you too.”

***

The days and weeks that went by were happy. As happy as it could be with a broken world surrounding them. Jimin couldn’t believe the difference in himself. He’d been on the brink of wanting to end it all, and now he couldn’t think of anything worse.

He hadn't realised just how low he’d been feeling, until suddenly he was uplifted again. Surrounded by people he loved and, of course, Yoongi. In a lot of ways it was like nothing had changed between them, but it had at the same time.

He no longer had to hide his affection, or feel guilty for looking at his hyung.

“You know, we’ve been waiting a long time for you two to get your act together. Can’t believe it took an actual apocalypse for it to happen.” Namjoon said as they collected eggs one morning.

“I can’t believe none of you told us. Hobi-hyung especially! He had both of us whining about our feelings for each other, and not once did he let on that he knew either of our secrets.” Jimin said.

“We knew you had to work it out yourselves. You can’t force these things.”

He was probably right, but Jimin also couldn’t help but think about all the time they’d missed out on. Then again, it had been bad enough losing Yoongi for a time without his feelings reciprocated, he wondered how much harder it would’ve been if he’d know.

If he’d had Yoongi and almost lost him. Jimin pushed away that thought, he didn’t need to go down that path.

“I suppose, I just wish it hadn’t taken this long.” Jimin voiced. “Feels like we lost out on so much.”

“I know, and I know that everything is shit in the world now, but you’re together. That’s what really matters.”

Jimin knew Namjoon was right. He couldn’t dwell on what could have been, and instead focus on the now and what future they could manage to carve out for themselves.

It was hard thinking of the future with so much unknown, but he was glad he had Yoongi and his members by his side. That alone was enough to keep going.

When they’d finished collecting the eggs Jimin headed to what they’d jokingly called their ‘war room’, which was simply one of the small offices that they’d moved the maps into.

Seokjin was in there going over the inventory he and Jungkook had brought back from their last scouting party.

“Ah just the man I wanted to see!” He said when Jimin appeared in the doorway.

“Oh?”

“I’m adding you into the scouting rota.” Seokjin said, “you’re wounds have healed enough now.”

“That’s great! When do I go?” Jimin said, a little too enthusiastically, maybe being stuck indoors for so long was starting to get to him.

“Next one is planned for tomorrow if you’re up for it? You can go with Yoongi and Namjoon.”

“I thought it was pairs that were going out?”

“It is, but you’ve been cooped up for a while. Don’t want to throw you back into the deep end straight away.” Seokjin said.

“Hyung I’ll be fine. I can do it.”

“I know, but please, humour me. You scared the shit out of us getting hurt like that.” Seokjin said, and Jimin could see the pain in his eyes. “I can’t have that happen again. So just this time, go as a three okay?”

“Okay.” Jimin promised.

It was strange, he never used to think that Seokjin looked like the eldest of their group, but now it seemed to show. Survival was etched in the creases and dark shadows around his eyes. Years of struggle ageing him beyond his years. Yet he wore it with a defiant pride.

He’d always looked after them, but now he seemed hell bent on protecting them. Jimin and Taehyung had talked about it not long ago, how he’d taken more of a leader role. Relinquishing the responsibility from Namjoon, who Jimin knew was struggling a lot.

They’d had a long talk after the initial shock of them all being back together again. Jimin had always viewed Namjoon as a strong dependable person, but after talking to him about what he and Seokjin had been through in the first few months, he could see the cracks in his armour.

Namjoon had spent so long shielding them all, it was no wonder he’d finally hit his limit. Not having to shoulder the responsibility of being the leader was a relief, he’d told Jimin as much. He could really see how grateful he was for Seokjin taking the lead.

Jimin was still in awe of him though, the fact that he was still going, still fighting to survive was strength in itself. They were are strong in that sense. Jimin would never stop being proud and impressed by his friends, no family, that’s what they were.

They were his family now and forever, and they were the strongest people he knew. They made him feel strong. And while he’d told Seokjin he was fine about going out, the truth was he was terrified.

He had nightmares about the wolf attack, the thought of being back out in the open where more wild animals were prowling made his anxiety levels soar. But he’d always been one for wanting to hide his feelings and put on a brave face, he was glad his hyung maybe saw passed it all.

*

The next morning he met Yoongi and Namjoon in the parking garage. It was still dark out, the nights stretching a little longer, it must be nearing the winter months, not that it felt like it when they stepped out into the dense heat.

Even with the sun below the horizon the air felt sickly warm and close. Jimin pulled up his bandana, shielding his mouth and nose from the dust and followed the others into the city.

His pulse was racing as they slowly made their way through the silent streets, every sound feeling like a thunder clap in the still silence of the city.

“You okay?” Yoongi asked, as he came up beside him.

“Fine.” Jimin retorted.

“It’s okay if you’re not.” Yoongi assured, squeezing his shoulder.

“Really I’m fine, I just- I need to get used to being back out here again.” Jimin said, a little less snappy this time.

“Okay.” Yoongi said, not pushing him.

Jimin was grateful, he knew he was tense and on edge, but if he was ever going to get over the attack he had to push through it. When the sun finally crept over the horizon they took a break.

Seokjin had gotten up before all of them and made lunch boxes, it reminded him of when they were still in school and he used to make him and Taehyung snack boxes to take with them. Nostalgia from a long forgotten past surfacing in his memories.

Those were such simpler times, which was crazy to think of like that, considering on top of school they were training for hours on end and pushing themselves to breaking point in hopes of chasing their dream.

They sat in a partially collapsed bank, the old ATM machines covered in a thick layer of dust where they lay broken into. It was crazy to think how many people must have wasted their time taking money from banks like this, as though money meant anything now.

It all just seemed so pointless considering. It had never crossed his mind once, all he could think about was getting somewhere safe and having enough food and water to survive.

“I always wonder what happened to all that money people took.” Namjoon said, voicing Jimin’s own thoughts.

“Maybe they used it to wipe their asses.” Yoongi suggested.

Jimin burst out laughing, it was such a Yoongi comment. Practical and yet utterly ridiculous.

Namjoon grinned over his protein bar.

“If we’d ended up in a nuclear winter, it’d have made a good fire.” Yoongi said.

“It’d probably have burned too quickly.” Namjoon added, seeming to genuinely consider the option.

When they headed back out into the daylight their movements were a lot slower. The heat taking all their strength and energy. They’d planned out their route the night before, targeting an area near the river.

It would probably take them all day to reach it, especially at their slowed pace. Jimin didn’t mind though, he was starting to relax into it, as much as one could whilst staying on alert. It was nice being out with Yoongi and Namjoon too.

Their conversation was limited, trying not to make too much noise as they moved through the desolate streets, but whenever they did chat it was nice. They talked about the places they used to go, Namjoon pointing out a coffee shop he and a friend used to frequent.

Yoongi noticing an old restaurant their managers had taken them too after they won a prize at a big award show. Jimin loved talking about their past, while it made him sad, it also reminded him of all the good things they used to have, and how precious it all was.

It was important to remember those things, even if they hurt. The same way it was important to remember those they had lost.

When they passed the broken shell of a cafe he once took his parents to when they visited him in Seoul his heart ached. He could physically feel the pain in his chest at the thought of his parents and brother gone and never to be seen again.

He felt Yoongi’s hand on the small of his back, he blinked up at him through tear filled eyes.

“I went there with my mom and dad once.” Jimin said, his throat felt thick and he was surprised the words even came out. “I miss them so much.”

“I know,” Yoongi said, pulling him into a hug, “I miss mine too.”

Jimin pressed his face into Yoongi’s shoulder, his tears soaking into the fabric of his tshirt. He would anything to have them back, to have them all back, every person who had been lost when the world fell apart.

He would give anything to go back to how it used to be, no matter the hardships they faced, it was better than this, better than losing it all.

“It’s okay.” Yoongi whispered, his hands rubbing soothing circles into his back.

All Jimin could do was hold onto him and let the emotions flow free. It probably only lasted a few minutes, but it felt like hours had passed when he finally pulled away and wiped his eyes. He could see the pain in Yoongi’s eyes, they were tinged red, like he too had been crying.

It wouldn’t have surprised him if he had, they all had so much pain locked away inside them.

“M’okay.” Jimin mumbled, even if he didn’t feel it.

“Here, drink something.” Yoongi said, pulling a water bottle from his bag. “We can rest for a while.”

“No, we should keep going. Let’s just keep going.” Jimin said, he took a few sips of water and straightened himself out.

Namjoon was waiting a few yards ahead, keeping a lookout no doubt while Jimin had his moment.

When they caught up with him he gave Jimin a knowing smile, they all understood. Sometimes it was better to just let the tears fall, then pull yourself together, it was the only way to carry on.

As they continued their way through the crumbling city, Jimin slipped his hand into Yoongi’s, not quite ready to fully let go just yet.

*

The sun was already beginning it’s descent when they reached their destination. It was too late to start looking around for any supplies, so instead they made use of the remaining daylight and hunted for a place to shelter for the night.

Jimin was exhausted and he could see his own failing energy reflected in the other two. It took them a while to find somewhere suitable, there was a lot of destruction here.

Most of the buildings had collapsed in on themselves, and those that were still standing weren’t the best for defending, it didn’t leave many options.

“I think this will be okay, it’s the best we’ve seen.” Yoongi said as he climbed his way out of a former launderette. “The entrance is small enough to barricade up and defend.”

“I’d be happy to sleep out on the street at this rate.” Namjoon said, “I’m exhausted.”

“Same, let’s get inside.” Jimin agreed.

The three of them clambered over the fallen rocks in front of the laundrette. The upper floors of the building had collapsed, their debris littering the street in front.

The doorway was pretty inconspicuous and Yoongi was right, that it would be easy to block up. Jimin hadn’t even noticed it when they first passed it, it was Yoongi’s keen eye that spotted it. Once inside it was a few degrees cooler in the dark laundrette.

The walls were lined with washing machines and dryers, some looked like they still had some clothes inside. The vending machine in the corner was smashed open, clearly the few food items the main priority for the last people to venture inside.

The three of them blocked up the entrance, Yoongi pulled out his little toolkit to remove the inner door from its hinges so they could use it as a cover. There was a small window to one side, they left that unblocked to keep watch.

The main window was covered by the shutters, which had amazingly held up. They still tacked over some planks of wood that Jimin ripped from a broken table in the back.

It was actually a pretty decent safe house once they were done. Jimin made sure to mark it on their map for any future trips in the area.

While Yoongi and Namjoon finished boarding up the door, Jimin looked through the machines, he found a duvet in one of the driers. It was a bit musty, but would do as a ground sheet so he laid it out and covered it with the blanket he’d packed in his bag.

At least it would be a little more comfortable than sleeping on the floor. He emptied out his rations, they didn’t have much. Not wanting to carry a lot. But between the three of them they had enough to eat and drink for three days.

It was mostly just protein bars, but they’d all become accustomed to eating less so it was fine. Seokjin had also snuck some beef jerky into their bags, which Jimin discovered when the others joined him.

“Typical hyung.” Namjoon said, with a fond shake of his head.

Jimin devoured a protein bar and a couple of strips of jerky, his empty stomach grateful to be fed at last.

“I’ll take the first watch.” Namjoon said, once he’d finished eating.

“Thought you were exhausted? I don’t mind doing it.” Yoongi said.

“I feel more awake now that I’ve ate something. You two get some rest.” Namjoon insisted, he disappeared into the back room to make use of the bathroom before setting up camp beside the small window.

Jimin was secretly grateful that Namjoon had offered, he felt so tired and all he wanted to do was curl up beside Yoongi for a few hours.

“Wake me up in a couple of hours.” Yoongi said, as he settled down to get a few hours sleep.

Jimin immediately laid down beside him, resting his head on Yoongi’s chest.

“You okay?” Yoongi whispered after a few minutes.

“Yeah, just tired.” Jimin assured.

Yoongi brushed his fingers through Jimin’s hair, it was so soothing and Jimin found himself drifting off to the feeling and the steady thump of Yoongi’s heart beneath his cheek.

*to be deleted*

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*

The next time Jimin opened his eyes he was alone, his cheek no longer cushioned on Yoongi’s chest, instead resting upon his own arm. He could hear Namjoon’s snores from across the room where he lay curled up on his sleeping bag.

Rubbing at his eyes, Jimin sat up, he could just make out Yoongi’s form in the darkness of the laundrette.

“Hey.” Yoongi said softly when Jimin went over and sat beside him.

“How long have I been asleep?”

“A few hours, you can rest some more, I’ve got this.”

“Mmm, wanna stay here.” Jimin mumbled, resting his head against Yoongi’s shoulder.

Yoongi huffed a laugh and wrapped his arm around Jimin’s shoulders, tucking him into his side.

Jimin still felt the weight of sleep hanging over him, and curling into Yoongi’s side like that had his eyelids dropping again.

“There’s a nice view of what used to be the river from here.” Yoongi said.

Jimin cracked open an eye.

“Through the gap in the buildings, it frames it well, I imagine it was really pretty before all of this.” Yoongi said, brandishing a hand to indicate the wreckage of the city.

“Do you think it’ll ever be pretty again?” Jimin asked.

“I think it still is in a way, a kind of broken and eerie way.”

Jimin considered Yoongi’s words, he had to admit sometimes as he’d walked through the towering decay of half collapsed skyscrapers, it was beautiful in a haunting kind of way.

He remembered those artworks Namjoon had shown him once, of nature taking over abandoned buildings. The mix of nature and urban destruction stunning in its own uniqueness. What if the world could be like that some day? If the heat ever subsided and they got new growth again.

Could the world recover from all of that? He had no clue what it was like elsewhere anymore, so much had happened since those early days. The temperature and dust filled air weren’t the only things holding the planet hostage.

Natural disaster had shook every continent, from the quakes and tidal waves that had ripped through Korea and the rest of Asia, to horrific lightening storms and tornados ripping through Europe.

They’d been all over the news before communications had fell, he didn’t know what those places and the rest of the globe had been left with. Maybe they were doing better? Maybe they were worse. He hoped that there was some semblance to life and hope of the future somewhere.

They may not have much to go on here, but he hoped that if there were survivors across the world, that maybe one day they could come here and help them. That their current situation wouldn’t stay the same forever.

He had his loved one with him now, he wanted nothing more than a good life for them and himself, so he clung onto that hope. That hope that the prettiness of the world would return, and that they could withstand the broken beauty that they were left with for now.

“Sleep more,” Yoongi said, pressing a kiss to Jimin’s forehead. “The sun will be up in a few hours, and we’ve got a lot to do.”

Jimin was about to argue that he hadn’t took his turn on watch, but the warmth of Yoongi and the tiredness of a day’s travelling had him nodding silently and letting sleep consume him once again. That lingering glimmer of hope fading into the night.

***

“There’s nothing here.” Namjoon said as he stood up straight, disappointment written all over his face.

“Yeah it’s pretty much a bust.” Jimin agreed.

They’d been searching through the remnants of a mart for the last hour.

The shelves had been picked clean a long time ago, and there were no hidden treasures amongst the fallen displays cabinets.

“Let’s try the next place.” Jimin said, and Namjoon nodded.

Jimin pulled his notebook from his pocket, marking off another building.

All day they’d been going building to building, searching for anything useful. So far all they’d found was some batteries. It was looking to be a pretty disappointing venture so far. The sun was blistering hot as they stepped outside.

Yoongi was sat in the shadow of the building keeping watch.

“Anything?” He asked, when Jimin and Namjoon appeared.

“Not a thing.”

“Let’s hit that one next.” Yoongi suggested, pointing at a half collapsed building across the street.

“What was it before?”

“No clue. Couldn’t see any signage anywhere.”

The three of them made there way over to the building. It was in pretty bad shape. One side had caved in completely. Jimin wasn’t sure there was even a way in, but they found an opening eventually.

Namjoon offered to take watch, Jimin sure it was because he wasn’t sure his taller height would fit through the small opening. Jimin led the way, crawling in, Yoongi hot on his heels. Inside it was dark and musty.

Grabbing his torch he switched it on, flooding the space they’d crawled into with light.

“Looks like a factory of some kind.” Yoongi said, walking past Jimin and over to some machinery.

“Be careful.” Jimin warned.

Yoongi was looking over the largest of machines, no doubt looking for spare parts they could take back. Jimin left him to it, exploring the rest of the space. Once they’d crawled through the outer walls, there was a lot more intact.

He was surprised at how much stuff was still laying around. There were tools and all sorts left discarded.

He was just about to mention them to Yoongi, thinking the opening that they’d came in through mustn’t have been there originally when he came to a shuddering stop, bile rising in his throat, a body.

He turned away, closing his eyes. Pushing away the horrible thoughts rushing to the forefront of his mind. It wasn’t the first dead body he’d seen, and he was sure it wouldn’t be the last. But it didn’t stop it being awful.

“You okay?” Yoongi’s voice echoed in the darkness.

“Fine. There’s a body over here.” Jimin said, opening his eyes again to see Yoongi looking over at him, his own torch casting a warm yellow light over him.

“Shit. Is there anything to cover it with?”

Jimin looked around, and thankfully spotted a bit of tarp.

He pulled it free from beneath a collapsed shelving unit, and tossed it over the remains.

“They probably got trapped.” Yoongi said, appearing at Jimin’s side.

“Yeah, I don’t think there was any access before. There must’ve been some shifting.”

It happened a lot. Even around Jimin’s old safe house there had been buildings he hadn’t been able to access one day, then the next the crumbling structures had shifted, creating new openings.

They didn’t get many quakes now, but they still happened on occasion, causing movement amongst the rubble.

“Poor guy.” Jimin said, “did you find anything?”

“There’s some parts I can take back, and I see you’ve found some tools.”

“Yeah. You know what we’ve got back home, so it’ll be best if you look through them.” Jimin said, Yoongi nodding in assent. “Shall we check the rest first?”

“Good idea, these will be heavy and bulky. We can grab them on the way out.”

They moved off through a small gap in the wall. The entire building felt like it was holding its breath as they moved through the rooms. Jimin couldn’t help but feel like they were walking into danger as they delved further inside.

It had been a good idea for Namjoon to stay outside, a lot of the walls had fallen, and he and Yoongi had to squeeze there way through some tight spaces. His own smaller frame proving to be the easiest for moving about.

“Yah!” Yoongi whined as he wriggled his way through a particularly tight spot.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I just don’t have your flexibility.” He complained, as he brushed himself clean.

“You never did.” Jimin teased.

“You’re a menace Park Jimin.”

“Still love me though.”

Jimin hadn’t really been paying attention where he was going as they bickered, so he almost stumbled down a step, but Yoongi grabbed his arm just in time.

“For some reason I do.” Yoongi said as Jimin looked up at him sheepishly.

It was only then that the two of them noticed what they were walking into. The large room had shelf lined walls, and they were stacked with boxes, boxes of medical equipment.

“Holy shit.” Jimin said, as he read the labels on the boxes.

“It must’ve been a pharmaceutical supplier.” Yoongi said, pulling down one of the boxes which was packed to the brim with bandages.

Jimin made his way to the far end of the room, where there was a large metal door. There was an electronic keypad on the door, a locking system.

Jimin had a feeling behind that locked door lay medicines.

“Fuck, its locked and the keypad is dead.” Jimin said, turning to Yoongi who was making his way through some more boxes.

Yoongi straightened up, and to Jimin’s surprise began to laugh.

“What?”