The Last Boy Scout

22

Namjoon enlisted the following week.

Saying goodbye was less painful, though Jungkook still cried. Taehyung stood there, patting the younger on his back, trying to comfort him. Jimin, however, was as quiet as ever. He barely talked, he just nodded his head slowly, and hugged Namjoon tightly, only muttering a few words to his hyung.

All four remaining members hugged each other, forming a circle around their leader hyung, who had been through so much with them.

Namjoon informed everyone not to worry about him, and that everything would be alright. He told them to remain in touch with each other and remember that Bangtan would not, could not, disband; no matter what.

Now it was just the maknae line left, and all three of them sat together at a table at some fancy high-end restaurant; it was Taehyung's treat.

Taehyung tried to carry on a conversation, but the other two weren't up for it. Jungkook poked at his lamb skewers, while Jimin just sat there, sipping water.

Taehyung ordered a plate of lobster but no one wanted any, so he took a picture instead.

Eventually, all three went home, feeling heavy that their leader hyung enlisted, and was gone.

Once home, Taehyung collapsed onto his bed and stared at his ceiling, remembering everything his leader hyung had advised him to do.

Jungkook stood up all night playing games, even though he wanted to sleep. He held a controller firmly in his hands and kept his eyes glued to his TV screen for hours.

Jimin, who didn't say a word at the airport or at the restaurant, sat curled up in the corner of his bedroom with a blanket wrapped around him. He started thinking how things would be like when he left the younger two next year.

Jimin's phone rang, but he didn't budge. It could've been Jungkook, Tae-ssi, who knows. It could've been Jin Yung calling, but his hopes of her calling him were very low.

Little did Jimin know, it was his father, who was worried sick about his son. He was doing everything he could to take care of his wife, who had become seriously ill the past week. When Jimin didn't answer his phone, his father just assumed his son was busy and working hard, and left it at that.

---

The next morning, Jungkook woke Jimin up with a phone call.

Jimin picked up, but he refused to speak.

"Hyung? Are you there?" The maknae asked full of concern.

"Yes," Jimin whispered. "I'm here,"

"Alright," Jungkook continued. "Is- is everything okay?"

Obviously, everything was not okay.

"I'm fine," Jimin lied.

"Are you willing to meet me somewhere?" Jungkook asked. "I know it's been... hard on everyone, but-"

"Sure," Jimin cut him off. "Where do you want to meet?"

"Meet me at the Seoul Train Station," Jungkook replied. "At around 7 in the evening,"

Jimin didn't ask any questions, and agreed to meet Jungkook there.

---

"Really?"

"Yes, really,"

"Oh goodness, thank you so much... how can I repay you?"

"No need to, just enjoy your time with him, alright?"

"Alright, thank you so, so much,"

"Anything for you,"

They hung up.

Anything for Jimin,

---

Like the maknae instructed, Jimin pulled into the Seoul Train Station at 7:35 in the evening. He wore all black; hoodie, pants, mask, everything black, even his hair, which his stylist dyed the day before.

The station was calm; there weren't many trains that came during the evening, so there were only a handful of people at the station. Jimin couldn't find Jungkook anywhere; he wasn't in the restrooms or in the parking lot, so Jimin sat down on one of the steel benches and occupied himself with his phone.

Minutes passed, and there was still no sign of the maknae.

Where is he? Jimin thought to himself. Out of all places, why did he decide to meet here?

Jimin sat for several more minutes, growing more and more impatient.

He was on the verge of getting up and heading back to his car, when he heard the sound of a train screeching to a stop.

Jimin didn't even budge, he just slumped back down on the bench and pulled his mask up to the bridge of his nose.

All of a sudden, a pair of two delicate arms came across his chest. He felt something warm press against his back, which sent sparks scattering across his body.

He had longed for this moment to happen, and came to the conclusion it would never occur; though here she was now, squeezing him tightly in her arms.

Neither of them said anything, they were both too astonished and the moment was heartwarming.

Suddenly, Jimin's phone buzzed, notifying him he got a message from Jungkook.

You're welcome hyung :)

---