𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟗𝟒

Jungkook doesn't knock on Taehyung's—Tiger's door, he just invites himself in.

The alter lies awake in bed, playing with his hands rested on his chest. He only raises his head to see the intruder. Jungkook crosses his arms against his chest and Tiger lets out a heavy sigh, lying down again.

"What do you want?"

Jungkook uncrosses his arms and approaches him slowly, without reaching the bed. "What's wrong with you, Tiger? I thought you wanted to help Namjoon."

"I want to help him, but this situation is stressing the hell out of me."

"Are you angry with Joon?"

Tiger groans and sits on the bed, his fists hitting the surface beneath him. "No, not with Namjoon. I'm pissed with Bang PD and Mimi. It's all their fault. If Namjoon's like this, it's because of them. Hell, it's not like he brainwashed himself. Besides, it sucks that Namjoon can't recognise the boys, questioning all his words and all. It stresses me how can he be so clueless and dumb. . . but it's not his fault—I know."

Jungkook slowly sits in front of him, legs crossed. Tiger keeps his head low, but Jungkook bites his lips to cover an increasing smile. He cares for Joon.

"Imagine that they did that to you?" Tiger continues, groaning. "You wouldn't remember me at all. That would be the worse thing that has ever happened to me, way worse than dying. So, I guess the others must feel this way right now—and we can only do so much to help Namjoon."

Jungkook tilts his head. "Are you worried about them?"

"Hell no, I'm only practicing empathy."

* * *

Jimin pats slightly Yoongi's leg. "Bae, talk to me."

Yoongi shakes his head, refusing to look at him. Hot tears roll down his cheeks, colliding into the pillow. Jimin's presence eventually calms him, turning his sobs into sniffs.

Jimin swallows the knot in his throat. "Namjoon will remember who you're. All of us."

"But it hurts, Jimin."

Jimin takes a breath to compose himself. "I know, Bae. All of us are hurting, that's why you shouldn't keep all this pain to yourself. Let me be with you."

Yoongi holds the edge of the pillow with one hand, his knuckles whitening. More tears stream down his red cheeks and he hides his face on the pillow.

"If I could, I would kill Bang PD and Mimi right now. They don't deserve to be alive."

His words come out muffled, but Jimin understands each one. "Bae. . ."

Jimin lies next to him. He can count with one hand the times he has seen Yoongi this heart broken, and it has never been easy. Jimin wonders if they feel the same way when he breaks down. How can they console me without feeling like their own hearts have been crushed inside their chests? Or are they used to it?

"Jungkook told us Namjoon sacrificed himself to save us all. He loved us, he still does. All this mess came out from an act of love. They could have also taken Kookie and Taetae, but Namjoon didn't let that happen. He - he protected them until the last second. And it paid off, they're still with us." Jimin blinks away his tears.

Yoongi turns around and leans his face in Jimin's chest. The blond hair holds him closer, burying his fingers in his hair.

"But Namjoon isn't. I'm not mad at him, Bae. I'm mad at this this situation, it sucks. How could they do that? How can someone be this evil?"

Jimin stays quiet, but he never stops the slow movements of his hands in Yoongi's hair to ease him.

"I would rather die than live brainwashed at their own mercy, without knowing you."

A chill runs down Jimin's body and rests his head on Yoongi's. He doesn't want to imagine a life without Yoongi nor any of the boys. He would rather have Yoongi brainwashed than nothing at all.

"They can erase memories, but they cannot erase love. His love for us will bring him back, Bae."