𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟕𝟐

The partners stay together in the big bedroom. Hoseok cuddles Seokjin while Yoongi cuddles Jimin right next to them. Seokjin sniffs quietly on Hoseok's chest, his hot tears wetting the redhead pajamas. His boyfriend keeps playing with his hair, soothing him to sleep. On the other hand, Jimin falls asleep quicker than Yoongi expected.

From time to time the two boys awake exchange looks unable to fall asleep, guilt and fear of what may happen to Namjoon now hunting them.

Will they ever see him again?

Jungkook and Tiger cuddle in the latter's bed under the covers. Jungkook squishes his cheek on his chest while an arm stays secured around the alter's tiny waist, listening to the calm rhythm of the heartbeat. He can't put into words how much has he missed him and he's afraid to let go of him lest he disappears again. Tiger rests his chin on his head breathing peacefully, wanting to say something but enjoying the tranquility of the quiet warm room.

"Will you leave me again?" Jungkook doesn't raise his head and his voice comes out muffled and soft.

"I can't tell you because I don't know, Bunny." he pecks the top of his head. "But don't worry about it now because I'm not going away anytime soon. I do know that."

Jungkook nods, biting his lower lip, another question threatening to leave his lips. "Is Taehyung okay?"

Tiger's lips curve forming a smile. "Do you care for him, Bunny?"

"Yeah, I do." Jungkook affirms without any previous hesitation, but his voice remains soft.

Tiger ruffles Jungkook's hair and loves his head to kiss his forehead. "He likes you."

"Huh?"

"Do you remember when I could sense his dislike towards you? It has shifted, he likes you now."

"Oh," Jungkook blinks a few times, "good."

Tiger chuckles silently and intertwines their legs to feel him closer. They remain silent for some time, until Jungkook speaks up again drawing circles on Tiger's stomach.

"How did you escape? It's okay if you don't want to talk about it," he quickly adds, "but I'd like to know how on earth did you do it. I tried it a lot of times—I broke the handcuffs once, actually, and knocked out the man who came for the meals, but more men came not long after . . ." he ends his explanation almost in a whisper, frustrated he didn't succeed but relieved they had left that place.

Namjoon pops in his mind out of the blue—it's not that he forgot about him, but his head was full of Tiger until this precise moment. He bites his tongue, he should've pulled harder or stay with him. Fight all those men until they all stopped breathing. Jungkook sighs at his unrealistic idea. He can't change the past, but he can still come up with a plan to rescue him. There's still six of them and Tiger doesn't have a problem when it comes to defend himself or the others, being almost as strong as Jungkook—or that's what the tattooed boy thinks.

"Bunny, I know you hate it but I'm just an alter. I'm made to fight and protect Taehyung, of course that man couldn't beat me on his own and I acted faster than him. Did you see the device in the man's hand before we ran away?" Tiger pauses and Jungkook nods. "Everyone has one of those. I stole it before the man could call the others and  knocked him out. After that I came to get you. I . . . You helped me build the courage to escape.

Every time you yelled gave me more energy and strength to break the chains and rescue you. I could only think about you and Taehyung. All I did was because of you, because I want to keep you safe. When I got out of that place and you weren't there I thought I lost you forever. I've never been more afraid in my life."

Jungkook presses his hands against the mattress to lift himself up and comes face to face with Tiger. Jungkook caresses his cheek softly, admiring the night light shining in his eyes. His fingers rub the cut on his skin.

"Does it hurt?"

Tiger shakes his head, unable to speak having Jungkook this close to him for the first time since he died.

Jungkook's thumb rubs his lower lip, his eyes lowering to his lips. "And this one?"

Tiger swallows. "A little bit."

Jungkook presses his lips against the cut and whispers, "Does it feel better?"

"Can you do it again? I think it works."

They both smile before their lips find each other again. Jungkook tastes a slight of blood, but he ignores it and bites Tiger's lower lip as gentle as he can. The alter opens slightly his mouth, moving his hands to rest on Jungkook's waist.

As Jungkook slides his tongue in he sits on Tiger's lap. Their tongues move in a slow dance and Jungkook cups his cheeks, rubbing his fingers gently on Tiger's honey skin. Jungkook breaks the kiss to lean his forehead on Tiger's, their breaths brushing their skins.

Tiger hums with a smirk on his face. "I missed your piercing, it looks good on you. When did you get it done again?"

"Not long after you left me. I - the idea of living without you killed me and seeing Taehyung's face every day . . . I locked myself in the room lying like a groundhog all day in this bed, but the room ended up suffocating me and I needed a change. To feel like myself again."

Tiger unconsciously pouts, his heart hurting for the younger, and rests his hands on Jungkook's nape, playing with his hair. "Did it work?"

"No. Having you here with me is the only way I feel complete."

Tiger closes his eyes and brushes their noses together. "I love you."

"I love you." Jungkook moves his head away from his to look him right in the eye. "Do you want to be my boy?"

Tiger tilts his head and his hands stay still buried in Jungkook's black hair. "Your boy?"

"Yeah, be my boyfriend."

"My boyfriend," Tiger repeats slowly to himself. "I never had such thing, but you can be my first."

"And hopefully your last." Jungkook finishes for him and kisses him.

"I don't want anyone else, Bunny."

"Hm, yeah, you told me." Jungkook purrs, smiling like a fool in love.

The first rays of sunshine sparkle on the waves when the pair drifts to sleep. Jungkook hums in satisfaction as he hugs Tiger tightly. My boyfriend. I won't let you go never again, I promise.