Hunger | A Jikook Hunger Games AU

̶̶̶̶ «̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ «̶ ̶̶̶ Chapter Nineteen ̶ ̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ »̶ ̶̶̶

Jimin will be dead soon.

There were only eight tributes left in the arena, including Jimin and Jungkook. It was only a matter of time. There were less tributes to hide behind now—they were approaching the end of The Games. The timer on his life was about to ring.

Since Jungkook had been reaped alongside him, he had known he was going to die. Of course, he assumed he was going to die anyways, but the moment Jungkook's name was called, he knew his fate was sealed.

He was so proud of himself that he had made it this far. Idealistically, he wanted to get here, but he wasn't incredibly sure of himself. Coming face to face with death in the arena so many times really didn't help with that. He was almost killed just moments after The Games began. Caspian was so close to torturing him to death. It was hardly skill that got him this far.

Luck was part of it, sure. But Jimin believes that raw determination was the biggest factor at play.

Raw determination to get Jungkook back home alive.

Once again, it was quiet. The Capitalites were likely still recovering from the wild fight the day before. The sun was setting on the fourteenth day of The Games. Jimin and Jungkook had been here for two weeks...had it really only been two weeks? Jimin has seen enough—experienced enough despair to last him multiple lifetimes. But there was still more despair to be had...more children had to die so Jungkook could win.

Jimin was starting to wish things would just end.

At least when he was dead, he wouldn't be hurting anymore.

Jimin doesn't know what he believes about the afterlife. He would like to think he'll feel no negative emotions, a sort of reward for enduring all the suffering to be had on earth. He hopes he won't miss Jungkook...or even see how he's doing on Earth. It was selfish, but...he just doesn't want to acknowledge the fact that his death will hurt Jungkook. He wants to leave the world behind, and reunite with Jungkook when he was happy again.

It hurts...it just does. He wanted to grow old by Jungkook's side. And now Jungkook will grow old without him. Selflessly, he hopes Jungkook finds someone else to love. He wants Jungkook to be as happy as he can be. He wants him to get over the older's death, and live a fulfilled, comfortable life, not having to work a day because of the riches he's acquired from winning The Games.

But...but at his core, Jimin is selfish. He wants to be the one to grow old with Jungkook. He wants to be the love of his life. The thought of Jungkook loving someone who isn't him...it shatters Jimin's heart into a thousand pieces.

And Jimin shouldn't be jealous. Because he knew he was Jungkook's number one choice. And he knew none of these feelings would exist once he was dead—probably. But he couldn't help it. He just loves Jungkook so much. He was just selfish that way.

Selfish for Jungkook. Only selfish for Jungkook.

He slides his hand into his pants pocket, delicately touching one of the knives that have made its home in the folds of his clothes. And then he looks at Jungkook, the beautiful boy walking next to him, eyes forward, scanning his surroundings.

Dying doesn't seem so bad anymore.

*

Four more days pass, and only one tribute dies. Jungkook wasn't even sure how he did.

He wasn't sure how most of the tributes had died...but he doesn't want to know. Why would he? He's not a Capitalite—he has empathy.

Now, the only tributes left were a girl from Three, a boy from Five, a girl from Six, a boy from Seven, a girl from Eight, Jimin, and Jungkook. That's only seven...less than ten percent of the original number.