Chapter Text
Epilogue
The calming breeze of Busan made Jihyo feel at ease. She hugged herself as she felt the winter wind while staring at the road a few meters away from their house. Her bags are already packed, as well as their aunt’s. Jungkook informed her beforehand that he’ll pick them up in a few hours.
“I wonder where he is now…” she whispered.
Her Aunt Eun went outside and patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, he’ll be here soon.”
Jihyo sighed and prayed that his brother will be here safely. She already knows what he’s been doing for a living. Jungkook also mentioned it before. Right now, she wanted to tell Jungkook to stop joining those kinds of gangs. She’s concerned with the possibilities of his brother’s safety. Jungkook’s the only person left with her, aside from their Aunt Eun. She doesn’t want to lose him too.
She also thought that there’s no assurance that she’ll see his brother alive again when they part ways. And she didn’t want that to happen.
Her eyes widened when there’s a car approaching their front yard. Jihyo felt the excitement build up. After months of not seeing each other, the time has finally come. They will be reunited again. She couldn’t help herself from tearing up. She held her Aunt’s hand and excitedly said, “Aunt! My brother is here!”
Mrs. Eun shifted her look at the car from afar, and her eyes narrowed as if something’s off. From an excited face, her mouth was agape when she noticed something.
“Jihyo!” She called the girl who’s running towards the side of the road.
Jihyo’s vision was blurry because of her tears. But before she could even take a step at the gutter, she stopped running when she realized something.
It wasn’t his brother.
“Surprise!” A tall man grinned like a demon. Jihyo was frozen there while standing. Her heart’s beating fast and it was like she’s been slowly dragged to hell.
The woman beside her was holding a pistol, aiming at their house. That’s when Jihyo looked back in horror and shouted, “No!”
Their aunt was shot on the spot, blood dripping from her chest.
“Okay dear, let’s negotiate things now, shall we?”
Hyungsik smirked at Jihyo’s back, facing him. She was still stunned from seeing her aunt die. Her tears kept falling, and rage inside her was starting to build up.
She didn’t care if her hand was still trembling. She quickly maneuvered her hand and got her gun covered by her trench coat. She aimed it against Hyungsik who seemed to be enjoying everything. Jihyo was prepared, Jungkook predicted that Hyungsik would be acting fast. Back when Jungkook still had the chance, he taught Jihyo how to use a real gun. Of course, for self-defense since he won’t be by her side all the time.
“Oh no, sweetie. You wouldn’t dare do that,” Adora now aimed the pistol at Jihyo. “I bet you can’t use it properly as well.”
“Oh yeah?” Jihyo arched her brow and shot the gun on the ground, showing that she can do it.
Hyungsik smirked at that. “You really are Jungkook’s sister. Both of you have the guts.”
Jihyo’s breathing heavily. Her hands were shaking, her legs were trembling. But she’s trying her best to compose herself because she needs to show that she’s strong.
“Where’s my brother? What did you do to him?”
Jungkook told her about Hyungsik as well beforehand. That she’s not supposed to trust and believe anything that this demon will say.
“He’s gone now, Jihyo. He won’t be able to pick you up. So I’m here to get you instead. I’m impressed that you know how to use a gun. I’m assuming you’re still in high school?” Hyungsik said, stepping forward.
“Don’t fucking move or I’ll shoot you.” Jihyo held her gun with two hands.
“You can’t do that. You need me alive.”
Jihyo’s brows furrowed, puzzled as to what this psycho was saying. She shook her head and continued aiming the gun at Hyungsik. Adora was still aiming at Jihyo, as well.
Hyungsik shot his brow up and checked out Jihyo’s clothing. He looked at her from head to toe, and said, “Or you can be of use… for a night, maybe?”
It wasn’t long when Adora’s brows furrowed after hearing what Hyungsik said. What does he mean? Have sex with her? And he has the audacity to say that in front of his fiance? Is he insane?
“You can go fuck yourself, you demon.” Jihyo bravely said. Hyungsik clenched his jaw at that. When he took a step forward, a loud noise from afar was heard, and a bullet went straight to Hyungsik’s left leg.
From afar, Jimin just got his first shot from his sniper. He intended it to be on the leg to let them know that they are here. Jimin looked at his side and saw Jungkook loading his guns. “First shot down. Hyungsik is bleeding. Next move in five minutes. I’ll take the back door. I’ll meet you inside.”
Jungkook nodded and looked at Jimin too. He stared at his lover’s eyes, he knows clearly that he’s drawn to love because of him. “I love you.” He whispered.
“Stay alive and you’ll be rewarded with something big.” Jimin grinned and winked at him before standing up. Jungkook chuckled at that. How can he be like this in the middle of a life and death rescue? He’s now energized. He loaded one last gun and cracked his neck, ready to fight.
“Fuck!” Adora cursed and dragged Jihyo inside of their house. Hyungsik’s blood was dripping, but he hurriedly went inside and endured his pain.
“I think they’re here,” Adora said, while hurrying in tying Jihyo. Jihyo screamed in pain because Adora used cable ties. She also plastered duct tape on Jihyo’s mouth so she could shut up. She kept on screaming as if there’s no tomorrow.
Hyungsik breathed heavily and stared at Jihyo, and then back at Adora. “I want those sons of a bitch dead. They are both useless.”
Adora noticed that Hyungsik went back on staring at Jihyo. Her legs are exposed because she’s sitting and wearing a black leather skirt. Adora scoffed at that and hit Jihyo on the head, causing her to pass out. Hyungsik looked up at her because of that.
“Satan is really inside you, huh. Wait ‘til I kill these bastards outside and if I see you getting horny again because of this bitch I’ll kill you with my own fucking hands.”
Adora searched their gym bag full of guns. Now’s the time to use her favorites; her M16 and her shotgun. Before heading out, she looked at Hyungsik again and aimed her gun at her fiance’s private part.
“Keep this small thing down or else,” Adora clenched her jaw and shifted her look at Jihyo. “I know she’s pretty hot but your fiance can make you scream in bed, do you get me? I’ll check the front and stay here. Get your gun ready because they’ll definitely crash the back door.”
The sound of Adora’s heeled combat boots echoed and went straight outside. Her lollipop is still inside her mouth, risking her life without her bulletproof vest since they left it inside the car.
Jungkook walked with his gun as if he’s just walking at a park. Adora grinned at that. Jungkook is really handsome, Jihyo looked pretty as hell, too. It’s in the genes.
“You know, all of this will be easy if you just hand over my sister and my aunt. It’ll be less of a hassle for the both of you and Hyungsik.” He said.
“Oh, how sweet,” Adora smiled and sucked the lollipop. She checked him out, too. Like what Hyungsik did to this man’s sister. “I didn’t know you looked hot until now. Before, all I visualize whenever I think of you is garbage.”
Jungkook was puzzled when he heard that. “Can I just spare your life so that we can fuck instead? I’m dry for months because Yoongi’s dead!”
“You didn’t even love him, for fuck’s sake. Don’t ever mention his name because you fooled him. You made us believe that you loved him.”
Adora laughed hysterically. “You pretend to love someone when your motive is to only use that person. Why, you also did that before, right? You pretended to have feelings for Jimin even if it’s not true!”
Jungkook stopped walking when he noticed a body lying on the ground. That’s when he realized that it was their dead aunt, shot in the chest, and not breathing anymore. It’s as if his world turned upside down and he’s in full rage now. He looked at Adora who’s now grinning.
“I forgot to tell you about our surprise. Maybe it’s a little late but-”
“You talk too much.” Jungkook began shooting at her but thanks to her reflexes, she was able to run and hide somewhere.
Jungkook’s breathing heavily after loading his gun. His aunt is now dead. His sister is still inside with Hyungsik. All that’s Jungkook is thinking right now is that he wanted to take out his sister and kill Hyungsik.
“You want one of us to be alive, Jungkook! We have all the money that you need for the rest of our lives. Hyungsik and I hid it and we made sure you can’t find it unless you keep us alive.”
“Shut the fuck up!” Jungkook shot his gun again and Adora dodged. She took her chance in firing her gun. She ran towards the house’s veranda and hid beside a pillar.
“Come on, Jungkook! Give your all!”
She screamed and fired her M16 again, aiming at Jungkook that’s running rapidly towards the side of the house. She took cover again and realized she’s out of ammo. Adora took out her shotgun and when she’s about to find Jungkook, both of them aimed a gun at each other’s forehead.
“Give it up, Jeon Jungkook. It’s over.” Adora’s breathing heavily.
On the other hand, Jimin sneaked his way inside the house. From the back door and bringing only one pistol, he made sure he doesn’t make any sound because Hyungsik is still there, and he doesn’t know what could happen to Jihyo if he makes a wrong move.
As he stepped forward, the door creaked. It made Jimin close his eyes and curse quietly.
“Jimin… Jimin… fucking accept my deal already! You’re making this complicated.”
Jimin went out of hiding and went straight to the living room. There, he saw Jihyo, unconsciously lying on the floor with her hands tied and a duct tape covering her mouth. Hyungsik was sitting across from her, grinning at his direction.
“You think you can convince Jungkook to join your gang by blackmailing him through Jihyo? You’re so stupid.”
“Well if that won’t work out then I’ll just have to kill the both of you. It’ll be more entertaining to see.” Hyungsik tried to get up, but then he crouched when he felt the stinging sensation of his leg that’s been shot by Jimin.
“I’ll tell you what, Park Jimin…” he stepped forward even if he’s in pain. “You need me alive. I hid all the money that we got from our business. You need it to survive. It’s your choice to make.”
“Fuck you and your money. I don’t want to deal with you again. I’ll blow your head off right this instant-“
“You’ve been a great student and a brother, Jimin. I didn’t know that all of this would end here. Such a tragic story.”
“You’re the one who messed up in the first place. You are a selfish filthy rotten piece of bullshit that doesn’t need to live anymore because of what you did,” Jimin stepped forward and stared at Hyungsik’s eyes. “Do you feel sorry for what you’ve done to Yoongi? No. For what you’ve done to Hoseok? No. For betraying your colleagues? No. In short, you’re trash.”
“I did all of this for you. I am giving you an opportunity to live a good damn life-“
“For betraying my friends that turned into a family? To have a good life, I have to leave them, or worse, kill them? Dude, you dropped your brain somewhere and you didn’t have the balls to find it anymore because you’re blinded with selfishness. You didn’t do it for me, Hyungsik. You did it for yourself.”
Hyungsik looked away, stopping himself from tearing up.
“You drugged yourself, got high and made impulsive decisions that made us break into pieces. Do you know how hard it is to swallow that truth? My mentor and my brother, slowly changing because of money?” Jimin shook his head and pointed a finger at Hyungsik. “You have to deal with the consequences of what you did. I’ll spare your life, show us the money and we’ll start over again. But not just the two of us. Of course, with the gang including Jungkook.”
It is hard to process. It’s hard to think of only yourself knowing that you’ve made connections with other people for the past years of your life. And that’s what Hyungsik is feeling right now. It’s as if lightning struck him directly, and he felt guilty of what he did.
“Your choice, Hyungsik. You live or you’d die full of regrets.”
Hyungsik went silent.
Jungkook was shot on his lower abdomen by Adora but he doesn’t care anymore. Both of them are still pointing guns at each other. Instead of showing that he’s in pain, he whispered, “Why are you pretending that you’re brave? To cheer yourself up because you know that there’s two skilled killers vying for the death of you and your fiance?”
Adora gulped at that but then she got distracted when Jungkook’s right veiny hand climbed up at her neck. Jungkook slowly choked her. He scoffed when Adora apathetically lowered down her gun and then stared at the latter’s eyes. She seemed to enjoy Jungkook choking her.
He examined Adora’s facial expression, and he can tell that she’s really enjoying her being choked.
“I can’t believe you’re turned on at this point knowing that you’re going to die anytime.”
Adora grinned. “Blame the hormones.”
Jungkook immediately pushed her and shot her straight in the chest. He shook his head upon hearing her last words, “Don’t hesitate in killing Hyungsik. He’s an asshole.”
He knew that from the very beginning.
Inside the house, Jimin sighed deeply when Hyungsik shed a tear. “You’re right, Jimin. I’m sorry I lost myself because of money. Because of my selfishness. I’m truly sorry for what I did to Hoseok and Yoongi. If ever I can turn back time, I’ll stop myself from doing it.”
Hyungsik stepped closer and hugged Jimin. Jimin then closed his eyes and felt Hyungsik’s warm embrace. But then when he opened it after a few seconds, he saw Jihyo’s expression. Wide eyes and looking agitated. She’s telling something but he couldn’t get it. The last thing Jimin knew is that he heard a gunshot, Jungkook standing at the doorstep, gun still aiming at Hyungsik’s back.
Not just one, but three continuous gunshots at Hyungsik’s back.
Jimin saw the lifeless Hyungsik swimming with blood. Tears now falling down his cheek.
“Hyungsik! No… Hyungsik!” He then realized that Hyungsik was holding a gun in his hand, ready to shoot Jimin any second. But he was shot by Jungkook even before he could do it.
“He’s lying. Stop feeling sorry for him, baby. He would never change. He’s just manipulating your mind.”
Without even noticing, Jimin broke down and held Hyungsik in his arms.
The person who raised him, who taught him survival, taught him how to use guns, is now dead in his arms after betraying him.
Sobs were only noises heard throughout the old ancestral house, and even when Jimin knew that all of this is over, he cannot erase the fact that he lost one of the most important people in his life.
—
2 years later…
[ I highly recommend playing the song Rose by Honest Men while reading this part].
“I’m home!”
Jimin left the basket full of fruits on their table. His eyes scanned through their villa, but no one was there.
He took off his shirt and changed it with a loose white top. He brushed his hair using his hand and went outside to look for Jungkook.
“Jungkook?” He called.
The sound of the waves entered Jimin’s ears. Today was sunny, and the familiar refreshing wind welcomed him when he stepped outside once again. The green grass that Jimin was currently stepping danced with the wind. The coconut trees also did the same as if all of God’s creations were synchronized.
Just after he admired his view that he loved over the past two years, he heard a familiar voice, screaming.
Jimin suddenly looked at his right with horror, and then started running.
“Jungkook!” He called once again, but all Jimin was hearing was Jungkook's voice crying for help. “Fuck!” He cursed once again.
“Jimin-ah!” Jungkook cried.
He saw Jungkook lying on the seashore, as if he’s just sun-bathing.
“What happened?! Are you hurt? What the fuck-“
Jimin furrowed his brows when he noticed Jungkook laughing. The latter was wearing a Hawaiian button down shirt and beach shorts with sunglasses on.
“Why are you laughing?! I’m so worried! I thought someone kidnapped you or what.” Jimin said with full concern.
“Dumbass, who’s going to kidnap me here? We’re on an island in the middle of the ocean. We own this place, what the fuck are you saying, baby?” Jungkook laughed once again. “The only kidnapping case that’s going to happen here is me and you, kidnapping each other’s hearts.”
“But you already got it, baby.” Jimin whispered.
Jungkook smiled at that, moved his face closer to his lover’s for a swift kiss but it was eventually interrupted with voices.
“Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you!”
Jimin opened his eyes, seeing Jungkook biting his lower lip to stop himself from laughing out loud. “Great.”
“Happy birthday, Park Jimin! Happy birthday to you!”
Both of them looked around and saw Dawon holding a cake. Jihyo, Taehyung, Namjoon, Hoseok, and Seokjin singing at her back.
Jimin shook his head and smiled. What matters the most today is that he’s grateful that he found refuge. Not just with Jungkook, but also with his friends that turned into family. Their past may be not that pretty, but now they are all having their own fresh start by owning an island far from Seoul, where bad memories will keep flashing in their minds. Of course, with the use of millions of dollars that Hyungsik kept, which was found by Taehyung and Namjoon somewhere in Adora’s apartment.
“Close your eyes and make a wish!” Jihyo smiled at his brother’s boyfriend.
Jimin closed his eyes and after a few seconds, he blew the candle.
“Happy birthday, my love.” Jungkook whispered against his ear.
All of them looked at the sea when Hoseok told the others that the sun was already setting. Jungkook hugged Jimin from the back as they watched the sky slowly turning red orange. Jungkook kissed Jimin’s temple and whispered sweet words to his lover.
“In this perilous world, you are my refuge.”
- FIN.