Chapter Text
“Rest assured, Jimin-ssi, the security at the venue is top notch. You don’t have to worry about those death threats because your safety is of our utmost concern. We take threats like these very seriously, so if we feel at any moment that your life is in danger, we will end the concert. Is that okay with you?”
Jimin nervously wrung his shaking hands together and stared down at the floor, not saying anything in reply to the head of security.
It wasn’t too long before their concert was scheduled to begin when a very disturbing tweet came their way—
Obviously, Jimin was very shaken up by it, but with only about an hour left until the concert, a decision had to be made.
The other members exchanged concerned glances with one another before Jin carefully placed an arm around the trembling dancer’s shoulder. “Jimin? It’s okay if you feel uncomfortable, we can cancel the concert. I’m sure that all the ARMYs would understand—“
Jimin shook his head furiously. “No! We can’t let our ARMYs down.”
Hoseok smiled gently at the younger dancer and ruffled his hair affectionately. “Aigoo, Jiminie. You’re so selfless.”
“It’s not like that, hyung…” Jimin mumbled shyly. When Jimin turned to the head of security to give his reply, Taehyung reached out to give his hand a reassuring squeeze. Jimin squeezed Taehyung’s hand back, glad that his friend was there to support him.
“I… Recognize the risks, but I don’t want to let our fans down. I trust that your team will ensure the safety of us all during the concert. Thank you.”
The head of security nodded. “Alright. With your consent, we will continue on with the concert as planned.”
When he walked away, Jimin let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding before burying his face into Jin’s chest. All of the members began to comfort their smallest member in their own way. Jin gently rubbed circles into Jimin’s back and whispered inaudible reassurances into his ear. Hoseok and Taehyung wrapped their arms around Jimin in a warm hug. Namjoon placed a hand on the nape of Jimin’s neck, and Yoongi reached up to affectionately ruffle his hair. Jungkook was about to reach out to grab his smallest hyung’s hand and whisper “I’ll protect you,” but before he could, one of their managers clapped his hands loudly to get the attention of all the members. It effectively ruined their intimate moment.
“Well then, now that that’s settled, you boys need to hurry! You still need to get your makeup done.”
He quickly shooed them all off to the makeup noonas who were waiting patiently for them.
Jungkook jogged to try and catch up to Jimin, but he was still being consoled by Jin and Taehyung. The maknae slowed to a walk, not wanting to interrupt the trio. He was never too good at comforting others, anyway.
Jimin felt anxious and on edge throughout the entire concert, but it turned out he didn’t need to be: True to the head of security’s word, everything went by without a hitch. Everyone’s bags and pockets were checked thoroughly, and there was even a metal detector everyone had to walk through before entering the venue. It seemed more like going through customs at the airport than going to a concert, really, but security did what had to be done. As an extra precaution, the guards didn’t allow any people near the stage. Even those with general admission seating were pushed back quite a bit, but none of them really minded. Jimin’s safety was the most important thing to all of the ARMYs. Jimin was entirely flustered and touched by how understanding the fans were, so as a little treat for everyone, he did disgustingly over exaggerated aegyo during the closing of their concert. The ARMYs squealed and screamed their approval, causing Jimin’s entire face to light up with happiness. He could handle the embarrassment if it made ARMYs happy.
Even as one of the stage hands came out to lower the curtain to signal the end of the concert, there was a sort of euphoric high that everyone was experiencing in the moment. All of the members were waving their hands at their beloved ARMYs, and thousands of cheers were being sent back their way. As Jungkook crossed the stage to wave at the fans on the other side, he managed to brush past Jimin. He took the opportunity to quickly whisper, “Guess that was just a false alarm, huh hyung?”
Jimin turned toward the maknae and smiled widely at him. “Yeah. Thank goodness for that.”
Jungkook nodded, and continued past him to walk towards the farthest right of the stage. As he waved to the ARMYs, something glinted in the shadows backstage and caught his attention. He turned his head and saw that the stage hand from before who was lowering the curtains seemed to have stopped— She was probably allowing them more time to wave goodbye to their fans. Jungkook flashed an easy smile at her to show his gratitude, but she didn’t appear to be paying attention to him. Instead, she was staring intensely at something behind him, and in her hand was a… Phone? That was probably what had caught Jungkook’s attention from before, but for some reason, something uneasy stirred in his stomach. He turned his head to see what she could be focusing her attention on, but all he saw was the others members continuing to wave. The closest person behind him was Jimin, but— Oh.
Jungkook’s heart dropped to his stomach as he glanced back at the stage hand, hoping the terrible thought that had snuck its way into his mind was just a figment of his imagination. Narrowing his eyes a bit more, he realized with a sickening horror that the thing in her hand wasn’t a phone.
It was a gun.
When she lifts her head, Jungkook can see the pure, unadulterated hatred that flashes in her eyes.
And oh, my god . That hatred was for Jimin.
Jungkook opens his mouth to yell for his hyungs to duck, to hide, to run —
But all too quickly, she raises the gun, and Jungkook knows it’s too late to warn them now.
His body goes into overdrive, and before his mind even registers what he’s doing, he’s leaping in front of Jimin. All he can think of is protect, protect, protect .
Unaware of the situation, Jimin turns towards the maknae, confusion painted across his face. “Kookie, what are you—”
He’s cut off by a loud bang.
Honestly, Jungkook hears it before he feels it.
For a moment, the sheer adrenaline pumping through his veins keeps him from feeling anything— But then, there’s a white hot pain that seems to encompass the entire left side of his chest, taking all of his breath away.
He feels something warm spreading.
He hears screaming.
He sees his hyungs running towards him, and even though their lips were moving, he couldn’t make out any of the words they were saying.
His vision clouds, and he feels himself falling.
And then?
He feels nothing.