Hunger | A Jikook Hunger Games AU

̶̶̶̶ «̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ «̶ ̶̶̶ Chapter Sixteen ̶ ̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ »̶ ̶̶̶

Jimin sits silently in the darkness, a dark-haired acquaintance at his side. Taehyung sits sort of close. If Jimin reached his arm out, he could touch the middle of his chest, that was about how close he was. It wasn't too unsettling. Jimin trusted Taehyung to some degree.

The District 1 career was still recovering from his illness. There would probably be medicine at the feast for him. His breathing was raspy, and he coughed softly every few minutes. It worried Jimin—he was terrified someone would hear the coughing and ambush them. But it has been quiet all night—Jungkook had nothing to report either. So all Jimin could do was hope luck was on his side for one night more.

He looks at the floor, thinking. Then he looks at Taehyung, hesitating, mouth opening slightly. "Why..." He starts in a whisper. The taller looks up, and their eyes meet. Jimin takes a deep breath. "Why did you wish me good luck? Good luck for what?"

"Oh," His deep voice cuts through the night. "Just because...I just wanted to make up for all the things Caspian said. It was obvious how much he scared you."

Jimin huffs out an incredulous laugh. "Wow. Thanks. Are all you careers as blunt as you and Namjoon?"

"I didn't mean it like that," Taehyung sighs. Up close, he was so much more vulnerable than the District 10 tribute would have expected. He was shy, and sad...it surprises Jimin. Careers don't get sad like this. Jimin wouldn't be surprised if this was how Taehyung was long before he ever got reaped. Jimin had a lot of struggles in his life, but at least he had patches of happiness. The smaller didn't get that same feeling from Taehyung. "I just meant it made me upset the way Caspian used the things he said and did as fear tactics. I...I hated him. I wanted you to beat him."

"You don't know me at all," Jimin notes.

"I learn a lot just by watching," Taehyung shrugs. "I watched everyone. I liked you best. If I weren't in this, I'd root for you."

"What?" The career spoke in short sentences. And every single one of those sentences confused Jimin. "Why me?"

"You have a lot of traits that I wish I had," He says simply.

"Oh..." Jimin trails.

Taehyung doesn't elaborate.

Jimin starts again. "Thank you for that, then. And thank you for standing up for me. I'm sorry you got hurt for me."

"I chose to do it," Taehyung deflects. "It wasn't your fault."

"I'm sorry we're competitors," Jimin murmurs. "But I don't fear death. If it was up to me, we'd both be dead soon. I need Jungkook to win."

He feels a pit of anxiety in his stomach. Should he be telling his rival this? What if Taehyung uses this info to kill Jungkook? After all, if Jungkook died, Jimin would kill himself. Anyone could see that. Killing Jungkook would be killing both of them.

But...as he looks at Taehyung, he realizes he does trust him. Taehyung seems to be sure of his morals. That was a good sign to Jimin.

"Maybe...maybe if we both die, we'll become friends in the afterlife," Taehyung looks up at the stars. "I'd like that."

"Oh," Jimin can't help but smile softly. "Me too."

"Let's work hard today," Taehyung says quietly, coughing once more. "Let's get what we need."

"Yes," Jimin agrees, nodding firmly. "Let's."

Jimin doesn't know how long it is before the first signs of sunrise appear in the sky. He and Taehyung exchange a glance, before alerting their partners. Jungkook is only groggy for a second before he gets to work, packing up their things, eating and drinking just a bit.