Hunger | A Jikook Hunger Games AU

̶̶̶̶ «̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ «̶ ̶̶̶ Chapter Twenty-Five ̶ ̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ »̶ ̶̶̶

Jimin blinks awake slowly. Immediately he has to squint, the brightness of the space blinding. It was all white...everything was stark white. He hears a beeping, just vaguely. He looks down...there were multiple tubes coming out of his left arm.

...Was this what death was like?

He remembers it vividly. How terrifying it was to bring a knife up to his lover's throat. How he coaxed Jungkook into closing his eyes, watching him shake from terror as he thought he was in his final moments.

He remembers how much it hurt as he plunged the knife into his stomach.

And then...he felt the energy drain from his body. He remembers talking to Jungkook, but he wasn't completely sure what he had said. He remembers kissing him...and that was it.

So now he was dead...right?

But he didn't feel dead. In fact, he didn't feel much different from any time he was alive. He looks down at his body—he was still dreadfully skinny. His body felt numb...in a sense? But still very much alive, it seems. He could feel the slight sting of the IV needles in his body...why would he have IV tubes if he was dead?

Jimin tries to sit up.

He was a bit achy...as if his body hadn't moved in a while. Was there pain in death? He died...he knows he did! This was nothing like he expected...

And then a door opens.

Jimin notices the pink hair first. His eyes widen. "...Seokjin?"

"Hey, Baby," Seokjin murmurs, his voice gentle. "How are you feeling?"

"F-fine..." He trails. "What is going on? Aren't I dead..? I thought I remembered dying..."

"Jimin, I need you to trust me," His voice becomes slightly firmer. "Can you do that?"

"Of course," Jimin furrows his eyebrows. "Why wouldn't I be able to?"

"No reason," He denies. "I just need to make sure you can. For now, all I can tell you is that you are alive. We'll speak more when you've healed, alright?"

"A-alive? How am I alive?" Panic spikes through Jimin's body. "If I'm alive, does that mean Jungkook is dead? I didn't win The Hunger Games, did I? I couldn't have! Jungkook can't be dead, he-"

"Calm down, Honey, please," His cadence soothes Jimin almost immediately—he can't help his body's reaction—his heartrate slowing just a bit. "Jungkook is alive. He is the winner of The Hunger Games."

"Oh thank everything good in this world!" Jimin cries out. "Where is he? Can I see him!? How are we both alive!?" Tears of relief dot his eyes. He pushes them back.

"Jimin..." Jin trails. "You can't see him. He...well, he thinks you're dead."

The smaller male stops in his tracks. "What do you mean I can't see him? Why am I even alive if I can't see him!?"

"Baby, please," Seokjin puts a hand on his arm. "I will explain everything to you in due time. For now, please just focus on recovering. The Games hit you hard."

Jimin brings a hand to his face, shaking his head. "Why am I even here? What is going on?"

"Just take some deep breaths for me," Jin coaches. "As long as things go well, you should be out of the ICU tonight. You'll need a psychiatric evaluation too. You aren't going to hurt yourself, are you?"

"N-no..." Jimin trails. "The only reason I hurt myself was so Jungkook could live."

"That's what I thought," He nods. "I can't tell you much, but I can already promise you Jungkook is doing really well. We'll move you into a more comfortable room so you can sleep in a comfy bed. We'll get you any food you want. Anything you wish, we can provide for you."