Work Text:
March 20, 10:00 PM
“What’s with the long face, Mark? Stop acting like a kid. It’s not like they’re a stranger to you. It’s one of your best friend’s birthday for Christ’s sake,” you bicker at your boyfriend as you stand at the front door of Renjun’s house. Of all the days’ Mark is being such an ass, he decided to be one at Renjun’s birthday party for a reason you couldn’t comprehend.
“Mark! Y/n! You made it!” Suddenly, the front door bursts open, the birthday boy greets you with a smile on his face as he lets you both in. You hope he didn’t hear you argue earlier.
“Mark and Y/n’s here!” Haechan comes your way, hugging you both as you make your way to the living room. Everyone is already there together with an unfamiliar face.
“Guys, this is Yuri, Jeno’s girlfriend,” Chenle tells you and Mark, earning a chuckle from the rest of the guys and the girl in question starts to feel shy.
“Ya! I should be the one introducing her, but yeah that’s her name and she’s my girlfriend,” Jeno says, snaking an arm around the girl’s shoulders. She shyly greets you and Mark, trying to avoid your gaze. She looks beautiful, you thought. She and Jeno look cute together. Mark silently nods to her, as he makes his way into the kitchen. After settling in, you roam around the house to see if there’s something you can do.
“Is everything alright, Jaems? Do you need help?” you ask Jaemin, who’s busy preparing the table. The guy couldn’t look in your direction to respond as he struggles to find the rest of the things he needs for tonight. Letting out a sigh of relief, he finds the cases of beer he bought, thought that Haechan chugged all of it already.
“Yes, y/n. Everything’s settled now,” he calmly responds to you, passing by your shoulder while he calls the rest for dinner. Everyone is at Renjun’s house tonight to celebrate his birthday. Though his birthday is not until the 23rd, Jaemin, the party organizer, insisted to celebrate it tonight instead. All of you somehow anticipated this from him, since everyone knows what’s going to happen once the clock strikes 12.
Tomorrow is the annual event that your city has been celebrating throughout the years, the Purge Day. And knowing Jaemin so well, he anticipates The Purge so much despite not physically partaking in it. The said event allows the rich to wipe away most, if not all, those who are a threat to their wealth and power. The poor and oppressed, on the other hand, become the first-in-line when rich people do what they intend to do, leaving them no choice but to run for their lives and do the most brutal of things just to survive the said event. They never wanted to kill or steal from other people; they just want to live but it seems like only the privileged are getting the upper hand from this annual event and are using it as an excuse to do crimes without getting jailed for it. Jaemin is always mesmerized at The Purge, saying that the only people who will truly survive this event are those who are gifted with brains. Regardless of your socioeconomic status, if you are smart enough, you can outpower everyone. Even the rich.
“Make a wish, Injun!” Haechan exclaims, after singing him a birthday song. Putting his hands together, he silently prays for his wish and blows the candle. Everybody settles in and starts digging in the pile of food Jaemin and Jisung prepared. Everyone seems to be enjoying the night, except for Mark who seems to be still agitated.
You and Mark had a little argument earlier before coming to Renjun’s house because of Mark not wanting to attend the party with you. He tried telling different excuses, but you find all of them unreasonable, so you insisted on him coming. Knowing that The Purge will happen tomorrow, you don’t want to leave him alone in the house for the rest of the day. Besides, it’s part of Jaemin’s plan for all of you to celebrate The Purge together, like an after-party where everyone has the choice to either participate at The Purge outside or just stay indoors until the event ends. Each one of you brought and prepared little things that could help all of you get through The Purge without getting bored, be it games, movies, food, alcohol, and booze as well.
March 21, 4:00 AM
“I got in! We’re now rich, guys! Who wants to split this with me?” Chenle cheers, as he successfully hacks the bank account of one of the richest personalities in the city. With his exceptional knowledge in infiltrating computerized network systems, Chenle could override anything despite how secured it can be. Jisung cheers along with him, earning a chuckle from you seeing how cute these two are.
“Come on, Chenle. You’re already rich, where would you use that money for?” Jeno asks.
“We can do anything with this amount of money, we can buy anything you guys want. How about we buy that artwork you’ve been wanting to have, Renjun?” he asks the birthday boy.
“There isn’t a need to buy it Chenle. It’s Purge Night, we can just steal it you know. Why don’t you take like half of it Jisung? Use it to pay for your tuition this upcoming semester, so your mom won’t get mad at you for failing your subject last sem,” Renjun adds. Jisung likes the idea, and everyone is down for it as long as the money will be used in a good way.
Four hours had passed since The Purge started, luckily all of you are still safe inside Renjun’s house. Bet nobody would dare to come near his house when Jeno implanted several traps outside just in case anyone plans to break in. Jisung didn’t mind using cheat codes in Fortnite too when he started playing a few hours ago, says he’s been waiting for this time to come and finally be able to play it illegally. Everyone is certain that they are secured at Renjun’s house tonight, thanks to Jaemin and Jeno for preparing everything beforehand. But Haechan couldn’t deny that it’s starting to get boring as time passes.
“Who wants to join me in a buffet tonight? Let’s go to that two-hour-limit hot pot buffet down the street and eat there for more than two hours. Doesn’t sound too bad right?” Haechan invites everyone but only the two youngest are interested. You see the three of them leave, bidding your words for them to come back in one piece and alive.
Two hours have passed and those three are definitely still at the restaurant, helping their selves out as they’ve consumed several pots already but are still nowhere near satisfied. You wished you joined them instead of watching this Netflix series that Jaemin suggested. It seems like you, Jaemin, and Renjun is the only ones watching because you couldn’t find Mark anywhere in the living room while Jeno and Yuri seem to be arguing somewhere upstairs. Bet you’d rather watch this series than deal the same thing with Mark. Jeno comes down right after, eyes too serious and jaws still clenching. It must’ve been a serious argument between them, but Jeno tries to conceal them all too well as he comes to sit beside you on the couch to join the rest of you.
“Ahhh, this is getting too boring. Why don’t we play a game instead?” Jaemin asks, getting everyone’s attention easily.
“Sounds nice!” Renjun chimes, as you all gather in the living room sitting on the carpeted floor. You yell out Mark and Yuri’s name for them to join you guys and they came right after. Mark sits beside you while Yuri sits across from you beside Jeno. You wonder why Yuri keeps staring at you and Mark, but you decide not to bother yourself too much and just talk to her later about it.
“Let’s play, truth or dare. You know the drill. I spin the bottle and the person chosen will either pick truth or dare. If they pick truth, they must answer the question with whole honesty, or else they need to drink a shot. If they pick dare, we must decide on a dare that can only be done today. Meaning, only illegal dares are allowed,” Jaemin explains as he gulps the bottle of beer in one go, placing it after in the middle of the room as everyone sits around it. A small grin leaves Jaemin’s face as he explains the game mechanics.
“Ooooh, exciting!” you exclaim, making Jaemin’s smile grow bigger. He starts spinning the bottle and its first points at Renjun. Loud cheers come from most of you while everyone waits which will Renjun pick.
“Truth,” he says, Jeno and Mark whine in unison to tease Renjun for choosing a boring option. You notice how Yuri laughs at their antics, which you find cute.
“Hey, stop teasing the birthday boy. Alright, I’ll ask you the question. Did you enjoy Jaemin’s birthday plan or you have better plans in mind?” you break the two guys from teasing more as you ask Renjun. Renjun says he likes it but all of you tease him more, making him drink a cup of beer.
Renjun then spins the bottle, its tip pointing at Yuri next. Her face turns red after realizing that she’s next, but all of you remained silent and is hesitant who will dare to ask her a question when she picked the truth.
“Alright, alright. Yuri, what do you like about your boyfriend the most?” Jaemin asks. Renjun couldn’t help but cringe at Jaemin’s question. Yuri remains silent for a while, thinking of the right words to tell as Jeno waits for them.
“Hmmm, he’s smart, kind, and has a very bright personality. I like it when I hear him laugh,” she comments. You stare at her intently, finding her words sweet and sincere. But it wonders that Yuri stares at Mark in between her words instead of at Jeno’s. Renjun overreacts to hearing Yuri’s words to tease Jeno who couldn’t help but smile with his eyes.
Several more spins happened after that. Several questions were asked. Several dares were done. Everyone is having fun and most of you are already drunk too. Jaemin spins the bottle once again, and Mark is the next victim. He takes the truth.
“Mark, do you really love y/n?” Jaemin asks right away as if waiting for the bottle to spin in Mark’s direction. Jeno chuckles at Jaemin’s question, finding it too obvious to ask but he didn’t interrupt. Thought that it must’ve been the beer and booze that are kicking in at Jaemin’s senses. Mark gulps hard first before answering.
“Of course, so much,” he says, looking at you straight in the eyes. His stares make you melt in that instant, all your hate for him from last night is gone right away.
“Ting! Drink a cup of beer, Mark!” Jaemin interrupts, handing him a cup of beer which he declines.
“Ya! It is the truth, are you too drunk already Jaem?” you yell at Jaemin, punching his arm. You take the cup from his hand and you drink it instead, winking at your boyfriend as if you saved him from a dilemma. Renjun and Jeno tease you both while Yuri remains silent with an annoying look on her face.
“If you could choose from among us guys here, whom would you pick as a boyfriend? Except for Jeno, of course. He’s not in the choices,” Jaemin asks Yuri when the bottle stops at her.
“Hey, hey! Why do you ask weird things? And why are you the one who’s always asking?” Renjun complains but is easily ignored by Jaemin as he waits for Yuri’s answer.
“I’ll choose Mark,” with a straight face she answers, making Renjun stop bickering. You look at her, shocked and insulted. Has she been trying to flirt with your boyfriend? Right in front of you and Jeno? Certainly, there are things to pick up with her and you need to talk to her about it later. What kind of a person comes to someone else’s party to seduce a person he just met. Mark, on the other hand, doesn’t look shocked but rather emotionless. The tension in the room escalated quickly, as you become possessive and competitive against Jeno’s girlfriend. Yuri does the same, and Jeno finds it odd too. Jaemin gets excited after seeing these reactions from everyone, continuing the game despite the death glares you and Yuri exchanged.
Jaemin spins the bottle again, all eyes focused on to whom will it stop. You hope for it to stop at Yuri again to embarrass her. Mark hopes it doesn’t. Yuri hopes it does, Jaemin as well. Renjun and Jeno look dumbfounded but are still carrying on to the game. It spins until its speed gradually decreases, making its tip point at Yuri again.
“Y/n, are you going to ask something?” Jaemin asks you when everyone thought he’ll ask Yuri again. Thank god he did that, you’d been eager to get back on her for a little. And now’s your chance.
“Do you like my boyfriend?” you ask her sternly. Eyes fixed on her, face daring not to twitch at all. The rest of the guys look at you both in surprise. Is y/n really asking her this? Are they serious? Is this how a girl’s fight looks like? Renjun wonders in his mind. Jeno looks curious too, while Mark looks uninterested. Jaemin looks excited the most amongst all of them.
“Yes! I like him, y/n. Heck, we’ve been cheating on you for months now! I want your boyfriend all by myself. I’ve been wanting to have him but he’s in a relationship so what the fuck right?” Yuri yells, leaving you all stunned. She sounds frustrated and angry. Few tears form in her eyes, realizing that everyone finds out about her little affair with your boyfriend, and her betrayal to Jeno.
“This is all your fault, Jaemin!” Mark says, ready to throw a fist at Jaemin as he comes his way dragging the guy on the collar of his shirt. Everyone scrambles in the living room. You and Renjun stopping Mark from punching Jaemin, while Jeno remains still on the floor beside Yuri who’s coming for Mark.
“Is it my fault, Mark? Am I the one who cheated on Y/n? I thought you really love Y/n so I gave you the chance to make things right. But you didn’t. You fooled Y/n, and betrayed your friend Jeno, so I thought I had to do something about it,” Jaemin says, unfazed with Mark’s fist which is almost turning white as to how strong his grip is on his shirt.
“Wait, you knew all along Jaem?” you ask Jaemin. You couldn’t help but shed a tear from what you heard. Jaemin knew all along but he didn’t dare say a thing to you. He kept it all along with Mark and made you look like a fool. You feel betrayed, and so much hurt. All you could do is cry on the floor.
“He didn’t tell you because he likes you. Am I right?” Mark lowly says, breaking the grip from Jaemin’s shirt. Mark is very aware that Jaemin likes you ever since. You are too since Jaemin has been very vocal and open about it but you didn’t take any of it seriously and thought he was just like that as a person.
“Yes, I like y/n. But they still chose you even though you’re such a jerk,” he says teasing Mark more. Mark comes to the kitchen counter to grab the handgun. He loads it and points it at Jaemin. Renjun tries to stop him as he grabs Mark’s arm. Jaemin stays still, chuckling at Mark’s actions.
“You’re such a jerk either. If you were just sincere and serious about your feelings, y/n must have noticed you first instead of me. But because you’re such a loser as well, they liked me first,” Mark teased.
“Well, at least Jaemin didn’t betray me by cheating with my girlfriend,” Jeno butts in, pointing a handgun to Mark’s forehead as he comes in front of him. Yuri gasps at the sight. You saw everything too late, but you try to stop Jeno too.
The sight is a masterpiece to Jaemin’s eyes. Everyone is carried away by their feelings, while The Purge is still ongoing. Who will be the first one to pull the trigger? Who’s angry enough to kill the other just because they were betrayed. Is everything really worth it? Will Jaemin finally have you once this is over? He planned everything ever since he found out about Mark’s cheating. Thought the Purge will be a good way to make everything seem justifiable.
“Go on, pull the trigger, Jeno. Mark is your friend, but he betrayed you. He betrayed y/n, who’s a dear friend to you as well. He had your girlfriend all this time without you knowing any of it. The girl goes home to you, but her heart belongs to someone else,” Jaemin tells Jeno, as he comes behind him. His mouth close to Jeno’s ear to hear him well enough.
Jeno’s hand shakes, as he points it at Mark’s sweaty forehead. Mark didn’t dare to move an inch, nervous if Jeno will really pull the trigger.
Bang!
Mark’s body lay instantly on the floor, making you and Yuri wail beside him. Jeno did pull the trigger. There’s nothing anyone can do since Purge is still happening. Renjun is still traumatized by what he witnessed, he couldn’t move an inch to where he is standing even when Mark’s blood starts to touch his feet. The carpet that was once white turned red, as Mark’s blood painted all of it. With a hole on his forehead, eyes still open, and mouth slightly open, he died. Jaemin chuckles at the sight of dead Mark, but it breaks his heart to see you cry over a person who’s now considered trash.
“Oh, y/n. I’m sorry all of this happened like this,” he comes at you, arms welcoming for a hug but you chose to ignore. You couldn’t feel anything but anger and hate towards Jaemin.
“Don’t touch me! You don’t love Jaemin, no. You did all this just for yourself, to get back on Mark! You’re disgusting,” you tell Jaemin, as you head out of Renjun’s house. The disgust and hate on your face say it all, Jaemin saw all of it. Jaemin felt all of it. Yes, he succeeded in his plan, but he never got what he wanted.