Only On Paper / JJK

Chapter 38

Namjoon rummages through the kitchen drawers, cabinets, anywhere he thinks might store a lighter or a box of matches. He can't believe what he's agreed to do, what they have to do to assure Y/n lives to see tomorrow. Even if she doesn't agree with it. They have no other choice.

"Joon, please! Please...Don't!"

He can hear her sobbing, begging him not to do it, but he squeezes his eyes shut and forces himself to continue searching until he finds what he needs - a handheld, electric lighter, the kind that makes a sound so high in frequency that would have dogs acting out.

Except that is the least of their worries. They're dealing with something much bigger than a house pet.

Jimin is a monster. One that has plans of revenge that center on Jungkook and the woman he loves.

If this is what it takes to keep her safe, he would make the same choice again.

Namjoon grips the lighter in his hand tightly, firm in his decision as he walks back to Yoongi and Jeongguk, who is trying his damnedest to keep the incubus at bay.

"Hurry," he says between clenched teeth, pain fills every word.

Only then does his determination waver.

How are they going to do this?

Is he just supposed to point the thing at Jungkook and pray he catches fire?

Deep down he knows the likelihood of that working is slim to none. They need a starter. Some gasoline. Anything flammable that will help one of his friends combust and blaze right before his eyes.

The thought has the hand holding the lighter shake.

Jungkook notices, wraps his fingers tightly around his wrist and digs his nails into Namjoon's skin so harshly, he thinks he'll have a permanent scar to remind what he's about to let happen.

"It's the only way," he grits out.

Namjoon doesn't need the reminder, but the struggle in Jungkook's eyes had his breath catch in his throat.

And Y/n's cries. They make him want to unlock that damned door. Let her out so she can at least tell him good bye, but he knows she would only try to stop them.

Still, it hurts in a way he had never expected.

Because just as Jungkook does, he loves her.

And this? This will break them forever.

But if he goes through with this, she will live.

She will have a life even if it's one where she resents him in.

"Joon... Now..."

Taehyung's voice softly urges him on. His hands joins Jungkook. Then Yoongi follows.

They all offer him encouragement and support. A group once broken by Jungkook's selfishness and desire of sin is now brought together once more. For just a moment.

That is when Namjoon definitively knows he is making the right decision.

He pushes his thumb down onto the button the let the lighter fluid into the chamber, and with baited breath, his index clicks the trigger and a flicker of flame kisses the air.

Everything comes to a stand still.

All four of them are huddled, watching the flame that will soon start a fire, burning away a mistake once long forgotten and beginning anew as the ashes fall to the floor.

One, two.

Namjoon cautiously counts in his head.

When he reaches three, the flame will touch Jungkook's skin.

It could take a matter of minutes. Maybe seconds. Before his friend is gone.

So, before he'll regret it, Namjoon rasps, "I'm sorry."

Three.

The flame brushes against Jungkook's bare arm. For a moment nothing happens, and Namjoon's stomach sinks.

It didn't work. They've failed.

But then he sees it.

A burn mark. That keeps getting bigger and bigger. And where Jungkook's elbow had once been is now a gaping hole as his skin catches fire like he's made of paper.

The color darkens to a heart-wrenching black as it travels up to his shoulder and neck, down his torso to the soles of his feet.

Jungkook is disappearing like parchment. Every bit of him that's already dissipated settles to the floor, leaving nothing but cinders.

Namjoon gapes at his friend in horror while Jungkook spares him one last smile.

Even though he must be in pain, he seems... relieved.

"Thank you."

Then just like that.

Jeon Jungkook is gone.

a/n: this took way too long to post, especially considering how short it is, but there is one more part left! the epilogue will be up soon. this is really bittersweet for me to finally complete. i always knew how i wanted to conclude this story but never knew the right way to go about it. i've written this so many times in my head and finally came to realize that despite how much i wanted to end it in a way that all of you who are still here somehow reading this would like, but that's the thing that kept me from finishing it. i don't want to disappoint you all but sometimes endings aren't always happy and that's okay. it's the journey we took to get here, the relationships we built with the characters, and hopefully a plot that moved you or inspired you in some way. yes, this is short, but i have never been one to drag things on and take forever to get to the point of where this story was always meant to go.

i definitely think a lot of you will love the epilogue, because even if this story has a sad ending, there is always hope hidden in places that may not be so obvious if you're not specifically looking for it :)

i hope you all have been doing well, and that you all are having a wonderful year so far!!