LONDON SEOUL (BTS)

XXXI

"Fuck, Gray," Jungkook shouted. "What the actual fuck?"

"Your door was open," I said, awkwardly standing up from his bed. I was attracting too much attention waiting in front of the door. I had let myself in as he hadn't been home.

"Why- what are you wearing?"

I looked down on Moonbyul's pants. I had to borrow them for better mobility. I didn't actually feel comfortable in them, but this would have to do for now.

Jungkook collected himself. "Nevermind. What are you doing here?"

"I need help."

"Wait. How did you get here?"

I frowned, "Jimin told me." It needed some persuasion and a lot of lying, but I got there at the end.

Jungkook nodded.

"I need the keys to the palace. The secret one." There was an underground pathway that linked the palace with a nearby basement of a house. It was to be used exclusively by the royal family and police force extorting them in times of need.

"No."

"Please. I wouldn't have asked if it wasn't absolutely necessary." I had looked around already. I didn't want to involve him if I could avoid it. His place was really neat. A sterile cleanliness that alerted me more than it should. It was as if he hardly stayed home.

"How do you even know about it?" He hissed, looking around if I had gone through his stuff.

Father told me about the key, more out of fascination than necessity. "I just know."

"What the heck, Gray." He had noticed something was amiss about his room. I tried to be careful, but it was hard when everything was placed so precisely. "You break into my room and just demand the most important possession of the national police."

I looked away, frankly unable to maintain his questioning gaze. "I didn't know how else to talk to you." And I wanted to avoid doing so if I could avoid it.

"What is this all about?"

Not seeing anyway out of it, I explained about how we needed to get the king out. Otherwise Taehyung might get himself into trouble. "So I am going to get him before Tae has the chance to."

"You actually are thinking of abducting the king."

Yes. I was scared about the prospect. If I were to pull this off I needed my wings, and just the idea of not knowing what could happen if I lost control scared me.

"No," he said firmly.

"I'll do it with or without the key."

"What are you trying to prove?" He almost yelled with frustration. "Is this still about your father?"

He gripped both my arms and looked at me. "You are going to die, Gray."

"What if I told you that I deserved to die," I said, calmly putting words to thoughts I had so many times. "Over and over." I held both of his wrists and lowered them. No. This was going to be a bit harder than I imagined, but I still can do this. I will just need more time than anticipated.

"I'm coming with you," Jungkook said as I was moving away.

I sharply turned back. "No."

"It wasn't a question," he said sternly. "Let's go," he added, pulling me by my sleeves.

"No." I grounded myself, refusing to move.

"Why are you being so stubborn?" He was seething. "How did you think you are going to get the king to follow you anyway?"

I was planning on knocking him out and carrying him. It was manageable with my other form. If Jungkook came along, I couldn't risk using it.

"I can make him," a voice came.

Shit.

"For fucks sake, does anyone knock anymore?" Jungkook exclaimed. His gaze darting towards the voice, startled.

Jimin was leaning on the wall next to the entrance. His face veiled in darkness as the sunlight struck harsh lines across his body as it crashed through the sole window. I didn't even know how I could have missed them. His red eyes.

He walked up. "Fuck, Jimin. What are you doing here?" I barely managed to voice considering how scared I was.

"I wanted to make sure you didn't kill Kookie." He shrugged tilting his head towards me. So he had definitely seen my eyes turn black that day.

"I wouldn't." I glared at him, hoping he wouldn't rat me out.

"I know. Just wanted to make sure," he said matter-of-factly. "You were lying all day about why you needed his address."

"Let's go home," I said as I walked towards the door. "I don't feel like we can do this." I grabbed Jimin's wrist, pulling him with me.

Jungkook huffed. "I am coming with."

"No."

"Then stop lying to me," he yelled. "I know you are going to do this right after you get rid of us," he added much more calmly.

"I won't," I insisted desperately.

"Come on, Gray. Going together is the best we can do," Jimin said, maintaining his calm demeanor amidst this.

No. No. No. "How can I convince you both?" I pleaded.

"You can't."