Duty and Death

Reflection and Origins

The warehouse was silent, save for the hum of the old ceiling fan and the occasional rustle of papers. The tension from the past few days lingered, but there was also an unspoken understanding that things needed to be addressed.
I sat alone in a corner, my thoughts drifting back to when it all began. I was seventeen then, just a kid trying to find my way in a world that didn't make much sense.
Hoseok was twenty, already navigating the dark alleys of the city, while Namjoon and Seokjin, both twenty and twenty-two respectively, were craving out their own paths in the underworld. Jungkook and I were the youngest, both seventeen, just trying to survive Yoongi, at twenty-one, was the one with the connections, the one who knew how to get what we needed and who talk to. Jimin and Taehyung were both nineteen, bringing their own unique skills to the table.

Flashback: Five Years Ago

"Get your ass over here Hyejin!" Hoseok yelled from across the street, his voice echoing off the brick walls. I hurried over, my heart pounding. Hoseok had taken me in when I had no one else, and I owned him everything.
"What's going on?" I asked, breathless.
Hoseok's eyes were hard, filled with a determination I had come to recognize. "We're meeting with Namjoon, Seokjin, and Yoongi. It's time we make some real moves."
I nodded following him to a dimly lit warehouse where Namjoon, Seokjin, and Yoongi were waiting. Namjoon, with his sharp eyes and confident stance, was already a force to be reckoned with. Seokjin, the oldest, had an air of calm authority that made you listen when he spoke. Yoongi, with his quiet intensity, always seemed to have a plan.
"We need to expand," Namjoon said, his voice low and commanding. "We've been playing it safe, but it's time to step up. We've got the talent and the drive. We just need to me smarter about our operations."
Seokjin nodded in agreement. "We can't keep doing small-time jobs. If we're going to make a name for ourselves, we need to think bigger."
Yoongi leaned back against the wall, his expression thoughtful. "We need better connections. I know some people who can help, but we need to prove ourselves first."
I looked around, feeling a mix of fear and excitement. This was my chance to prove myself, to show that I could be more than just a kid tagging along. "What do you need me to do?" I asked, my voice steady.
Namjoon smiled, a rare sight. "We need someone on the inside. Someone who can get close to people, gather information without raising suspicion. You think you can handle that?"
I nodded, determination coursing through me. "I can do it."
Hoseok put a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "We're in this together, Hyejin. We're family."

Flashback: Hyejin and Jimin

In those early days, Jimin and I had a bond that went beyond the group's operations. I remember the first time we truly saw each other, not just as allies but something more. It was during a heist gone wrong. We were hiding out in an abandoned building, waiting for the heat to die down.
"Hyejin, you okay?" Jimin asked, his voice soft and full of concern. We were crouched in the dark, our faces inches apart.
"Yeah, just shaken up," I replied, my heart racing for more reasons than one.
he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "We'll get through this. Together."
I nodded, feeling a warmth spread through me. In that moment, it wasn't just about survival. It was about connection. Over the next few months, our bond deepened. Late-night talks turned into stolen kisses, and soon, we were something more. But the dangers of our world made it hard to fully commit.

Flashback: Hyejin and Jungkook

Then there was Jungkook. Our relationship started differently. It was born out of necessity and mutual attraction, rather than the slow build Jimin and I had. Jungkook and I were often paired together on missions, our youth making us less suspicious to outsiders. One night, after a particularly intense job, we found ourselves alone in a safe house.
"Can't believe we pulled that off," Jungkook said, his voice full of adrenaline.
"Yeah," I replied, laughing. "We make a good team."
He looked at me, eyes dark and intense. "We do, don't we?"
Without thinking, I closed the distance between us, our lips crashing together. It was raw, passionate, and completely different from what I had with Jimin. That night marked the beginning of something dangerous and exhilarating between us. We'd sneak away whenever we could, finding solace in each other's arm. Our relationship was intense, filled with raw passion and a sense of urgency that we couldn't deny.

Present Day

I snapped back to reality, the memories fading as I heard footsteps approaching. Jungkook walked in, his face etched with concern. "You okay?" he asked, sitting down beside me.
"Just thinking about how we got here," I replied, my voice distant.
Jungkook nodded, his expression serious. "We've come a long way. But sometimes, it feels like we're just going in circles."
I sighed, leaning back against the wall. "Yeah, it does. But we've got to keep moving forward, no matter what."
Just then, Hoseok and Yoongi entered the room, followed by the others. The atmosphere was tense, everyone aware that things needed to be addressed.
"We need to talk," Hoseok said, his voice cutting through the silence.
"About what?" Jimin asked, his tone sharp. He was still raw from me dating Jungkook, and I could see the anger simmering beneath the surface.
"About everything," Hoseok replied. "About how we move forward from here. We can't let personal shit tear us apart."
"Easy for you to say," Jimin muttered. "You're not the one dealing with all the drama."
"Fuck you Jimin," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "We're all dealing with shit. You're not the only one who's hurt."
"Enough!" Hoseok shouted, his voice echoing in the room. "We need to get our shit together. We can't afford to fall apart now."
The room fell silent, everyone absorbing his words. Hoseok had always been the glue that held us together, and his anger was a stark reminder of what was at stake.
"Look," Jungkook said, breaking the silence. "We've all made mistakes. But we need to focus on the future. We need to figure out our next steps."
Seokjin nodded in agreement. "We need to be smarter about our operations. The cops are closing in, and we can't afford any more fuck-ups."
I looked around the room, seeing the determination in everyone's eyes. Despite the tension, despite the pain, we were still a family. And families stick together, no matter what.

Flashback: Formation of the Group

Back when we first started, it was just Hoseok, Namjoon, Seokjin, Yoongi, and me. We were a ragtag bunch, but we had each other's back. Hoseok and Namjoon were the brains, always coming up with new schemes. Seokjin was the strategist, planning our every move. Yoongi, with his extensive network, always had the right contacts.
We brought in Jimin and Taehyung next, both nineteen and eager to prove themselves. They quickly became integral parts of our operations, their skills complementing our own. Jimin was the charmer, able to talk his way into anything, while Taehyung was the muscle, always ready to throw down when things got rough.
Jungkook was the last to join, the youngest and most reckless. But he had a fire in him, a drive that matched our own. He fit in seamlessly, becoming my closest ally.
We started small, pulling off heists and running cons. But as we grew more confident, our ambitions expanded. We began targeting bigger players, taking on more dangerous jobs. And with every success, our reputation grew.

Present Day

I looked around the room, seeing the faces of those who had become my family. Despite the fights, the betrayals, and the pain, we were still standing. And as long as we had each other, we could face anything.
"Alright," Hoseok said, breaking the silence. "Let's figure out our next move."
We all nodded, ready to face whatever came our way. We were a team, and nothing could tear us apart.
As we began planning, I felt a sense of hope. No matter how dark things got, we could overcome anything.