Dragon's Kiss (VMin)

Chapter - 22

   "I'll face Jungkook-- and I'll kill him myself." V said, his expression grim.

   Jimin stepped forward, hand outstretched toward V. "You don't have to--"

   V shook his head, "I do."

   'But it's too cruel for him to have to kill Jungkook. It's bad enough he needs to fight him at all.'

   "Please don't feel like you're responsible for this." Jimin pleaded.

   V shook his head slowly.  "It's not out of guilt.. and its not just for your sake, either, although I'd do anything to protect you. I need to do this for Jungkook's sake, too."

   "For.. Jungkook?" Jimin frowned.

   "There's no hope for him now. He escaped the Apostles' notice when he slept for all those years, but now they'll be hunting him, to punish him for his crimes." V sighed, "Then there's the matter of the blood. You heard what RM said, how he'll become an unreasoning monster who isn't human anymore. If that happens, he'll be suffering for all eternity."

   'He feels bad for him, doesn't he? Despite everything Jungkook had done, part of V still has sympathy for him. I.. think I understand. What Jungkook did was terrible, but he was afraid of losing V. Now he's doomed himself.' Jimin thought, looking up at the night sky.

   "I'm not in love with him anymore." V met Jimin's gaze. "You know that, right? You believe me?"

   Jimin smiled softly at the dragon male, "Yes."

   "I'm glad for that. Still, for what we once shared, I wanted to save him. He's beyond help now.. the only way to save him from an eternity of suffering is to kill him." V said, his expression gloomy.

   "It doesn't have to be you." Jimin said, looking up at the dragon male.

   "Doesn't it?" V's voice sounded sad. "Back then, if I'd realised how desparate he was, I might have stopped him. I failed to save him then. It's only right that I'm the one to save him now. Even if that means killing him." V's words hang heavily in the air between them.

   "I understand." Jimin squeezed the dragon male's arm. 'I don't like it, but I understand where he's coming from. V was close to Jungkook than anyone. He wants to be the one to end his suffering.'

   "Thank you." V said, closing his eyes. Although his face is still filled with pain, he looked as though a weight has been lifted from his shoulders.

   V closed the gap between them again and hugged Jimin tightly. "I'm glad that you understand.. Even if no one else does, at least you understand why it has to be me."

   Jimin wrapped his arms around the dragon male and returned his hug. 'How long was he thinking about this? Did he spend the whole day going over it again and again in his mind? I'm glad I came to him tonight... That's too much to bear alone.'

   "I need to protect you from him, too." V's embrace tightened, and he pressed his face against his neck. "I don't want you to be in danger ever again. I need you, Jimin.."

   Jimin clinged to him as they stood there together, trying to ignore his growing anxiety about what the future holds.

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   The next morning, Jimin found V pacing.  "Are you okay?"

   "Always worrying about me nowadays, aren't you? Just relax and let me worry about you, instead." V smiled and ruffled Jimin's hair.