@Aamyungv: Absquatulate II; a #Yoonminau ...

Absquatulate II; a #Yoonminau

The door of the room opens quietly. The shadow reaches the bed. The man hovers over the doorstep, looking at the person on the bed.

The man on the bed sits up. Even in the darkness, they both know they are looking at each other with bated breaths.

Tags -

— a/b/o
— hurt/comfort
— underworld themes
— mention of cheating (not really happens)
— Miscommunication
— angst with happy ending
— Violence/gore
— Minors DNI 🔞
— TWs will be there and will be added when needed

A continuation of :

View Tweet

“You are home.”

Yoongi takes a step back, “just...” he hesitates as his voice dips, “I can't find a file.”

Jimin's jaw ticks, “don't even dare step inside the room. Where is it?”

Yoongi grips the doorknob, “in the locker.”

Jimin gets out of the bed and goes to get it. He throws it across the room and watches it fall right on Yoongi's feet.

I forgot one tag —

— Mpreg

Yoongi takes the file and lingers by the doorstep.

Jimin can pick up on the omega's scent. It's woven with Yoongi's own. It's itched on him and Jimin wants to throw up.

“Anything else?” Jimin snaps impatiently.

Yoongi shakes his head, “can you calm down for a second...?”

Jimin sees red.

“I will once you leave my sight!” Jimin seethes, “get the fuck out of my face!”

Yoongi doesn't move. His eyes stuck on Jimin. For a second it feels like the alpha wants to say something and Jimin waits.

Yoongi gives a curt nod, “fair enough.”

He turns on his heels and leaves.

Jimin stands there for quite a few moments before he lets out a disbelieving laugh. He goes over to his bed to climb under the blanket.

He is leaving for Edinburgh tomorrow. He can't continue like this. He can't.

The next morning he leaves after making sure Jiyoon and Yoonji are fine with the nannies and Namjoon.

—

Jimin didn't expect Yoongi to show up to Taehyung's house in Edinburgh. He didn't expect for the alpha to come after him, and he wished Yoongi didn't.

As the two of them stand face to face, Taehyung closing the door to leave with Jungkook, Jimin feels overwhelmed.

“Go on,” Jimin mutters, “whatever you have to say, spit it out.”

Yoongi gestures at the couch, “sit. Please.”

Jimin eyes the couch and then the alpha. He sinks on the couch, staying as far away from Yoongi as he can manage. The alpha sits on the other end of the couch.

“We need to discuss the divorce,” Yoongi eyes the papers as he pulls them out from his bag, “there are some things you need to know.”

Jimin says nothing. He is not sure what to tell the alpha whose mark he is carrying, along with another pup.

He lets the alpha speak as he listens.

“The alimony and child support—”

“I don't need shit from you,” Jimin snaps.

Yoongi looks at him, “but, I want to. Jiyoon and Yoojin have their shares in my property.”

Jimin can't help how his vision blurs. His heart aches as he looks at the alpha who doesn't make sense to him anymore.

It's like he doesn't know this Yoongi. At all.

“I want to know how we ended up here,” Jimin tries to sound as composed as he can manage, “I want to know why she was worth ruining everything. Tell me. I deserve to know that much.”

Yoongi looks at his hands and closes his eyes for a second. He takes his time, as if sorting through his thoughts.

He looks at Jimin with a sigh, “you really want to know?”

Jimin nods, “yes.”

“I met Imara in a rut club,” Yoongi stares at his hands, “I just took up the family business and I needed a partner. I probably mentioned a partner. Then... we met, and I cut it off with her,” Yoongi licks his lower lip, “then I met her again during our raid at the Cheong's shipment. I found her there with her pup...” he closes his eyes, “our pup.”

Jimin goes taut.

Yoongi licks his lip, “he turned six this January. I didn't know about him. Imara never planned to tell me. When I found out, it kind of...” Yoongi waves his hands, “it felt like a lie. I couldn't believe that until I saw all the reports and him...” Yoongi's throat bobs, “he looks exactly like me... there was no doubt after that.”

“It was before I met you,” Yoongi looks at Jimin, “just to be clear.”

Jimin's lips twitch, “that's the point where you started distancing yourself from us...?” he digs his nails on his thighs, “when you found out...?”

Yoongi nods, “I didn't know how to bring it up to you. I didn't know how to tell you that I have another son out of the blue like that.”

“I wouldn't have cared about this news, you know?” Jimin shrugs, “your past before meeting me... I accepted it all. I would have accepted this, too. What bothers me is how you went back to her,” he nods when Yoongi's eyes snap to his, “didn't you? You are with her right now!”

“I saw those pictures of you two under her building,” Jimin hisses, “I can smell her on you. You...” a lone tear rolls down Jimin's cheek, “you cheated. Accept that. Voice that. I want to hear you accept it!”

“I did,” Yoongi gives a small nod, “I started meeting her to see Ian. I don't know how it escalated...” Yoongi looks at his hands, “to Imara and I—”

Jimin springs up and turns away to hide how nauseous he feels.

“I will have full custody of Jiyoon and Yoonji,” Jimin breathes out, “and, I don't need a single penny from you. They have their papa and his clan. They will be fine.”

Jimin looks at the papers, “wait a second.”

He runs to the room and pulls out a small box from his bag before coming back to the living room.

“It's yours,” Jimin places it down on the tea-table and pulls the divorce papers on his lap.

As he starts to read the papers carefully, Yoongi takes the box and opens it. It has Jimin's wedding ring and the Min clan's necklace the Luna wears on occasions. Yoongi closes the box, putting it away in his bag.

Jimin signs the papers and notices Yoongi has already signed them. He drops it on the tea-table.

“You have to come back to the country for the settlement,” Yoongi licks his lip, “I have my jet ready. It will save time.”

Jimin wants nothing more than to rush this process. He nods.

“I will see you there.”

Yoongi leaves.

———

Hoseok is smoking by the steps of the jet. As soon as he sees Jimin, he stubs the cigarette away and stands taut.

Jimin ignores him and holds up his hand when Jin reaches for his bag.

“I can take care of it.”

Jin retreats his hand with a nod. The two of them look at each other as Jimin gets in the jet.

Jimin steps inside and sees Yoongi by the bar, talking on the phone. For a second Jimin just watches the alpha.

Yoongi has no expression. It's something Jimin got used to. The alpha reacting less and less to everything that goes on around him.

Jimin scoffs to himself. Maybe because he is bored out of his mind whenever he is around Jimin and the pups.

Jimin sits and closes his eyes. The ride will be long, and he doesn't want to start thinking.

Hoseok and Jin come inside as the attendant closes the door of the jet. They take their seats away from Jimin. Yoongi, thankfully, takes the seat behind Jimin. Something Jimin feels utterly grateful for.

He doesn't want to see the alpha's face more than necessary.

Jimin opens the website he was going through after the plane takes off.

Baby names.

He will change the babies' names. He doesn't want them to carry anything related to Yoongi anymore. He circles the names he likes. Leaves a star over the ones he really loves. He doesn't look when Hoseok leaves a glass of something on his cupholder.

He wonders if he can just leave the country. Maybe, he can sell the clan and shift to another country. Start afresh. Away from everything Yoongi owns and stains on his path.

Jimin's hand rests on his flat belly. The scar throbs under his touch, and he remembers the abortion appointment Taehyung messaged him about. Another thing he needs to take care of.

Jimin busies himself with the future planning. The babies are barely one year old. They will not remember Yoongi if Jimin never mentions him, and he won't.

They will grow up knowing Jimin and... Jimin hugs the book to himself, if he ever finds someone to trust again, then that person.

—

“So, he is taking sole custody?” Jin flips through the pages, “you aren't going to oppose to that?”

Yoongi shakes his head, his eyes on the clouds, “I want them gone,” he ignores how Jin and Hoseok look at him, “all three of them.”

Hoseok blows out a breath, “I will go, too,” he nods when Jin's eyes snap to his, “I want to leave the clan. I need to retire, I guess.”

“Makes sense,” Yoongi crosses his legs, “send me a file of the fields you used to look after. We will hire someone for it.”

Hoseok doesn't say anything. His eyes stuck on Yoongi.

“Namjoon has already left,” Jin reaches to grasp Hoseok's hand, “where would you go?”

Hoseok doesn't look away from Yoongi, “I don't know, just,” his throat tightens, “away from that country and that clan. I have given all my youth to that clan. I want to live for myself now.”

Jin looks at Yoongi, “how will we find a replacement for them?” he curses, “Yoongi, Jungkook retreated, too. He is not coming back. Neither is Tae. For sure.”

Yoongi rubs a hand over his lips, “if you are so incompetent to find someone for these posts, maybe, it's time I replace you, too.”

Jin stills. Hoseok shoots up from the seat and marches away to the washroom.

“Fair enough,” Jin sits up properly, “I was trying to hold everything together. Stuck through your mistreatment. Your rudeness. The dismissive way you are treating everyone around you... but, sure, Yoongi. If you want me gone, I will. I also have a daughter to look after, and I guess, I also need to stop looking after a dead clan. I will turn in my resignation by tomorrow.”

He follows Hoseok's path.

—

Hoseok drives them both home. He goes upstairs after Jimin as the omega says he wants to take the pups away right at that moment.

He will go to the Park clan's house for the time being. Hoseok follows Jimin to the pups' room and helps Jimin pack up with the nannies.

As soon as Jimin lowers Yoonji on the floor and out of her bed, she starts to crawl away with a giggle.

“Please get her,” Jimin tells no one in particular in the room as he shoves things into the bag.

Hoseok runs after her as she crosses the threshold. He watches, immobile, how she crawls down the hallway towards Yoongi's study.

Hoseok looks inside the room where Jimin is busy and back at Yoonji. He slowly walks up to Yoonji who crawled inside the study.

“Ap...aaa,” she giggles, slamming her hands on the floor as she looks up at Yoongi who is standing by the window.

Hoseok's eyes burn, something heavy keeps getting heavier in his chest.

Yoongi's head snaps towards the voice, and the alpha freezes.

Yoonji plops down on the floor with her hands held high.

“Apaaa,” she giggles, chants the only word she learnt to say, “apaaa...”

Hoseok takes a step back to make sure Yoongi doesn't notice him by the doorstep. He sees Yoongi lower the phone, his eyes stuck on Yoonji who is grinning with her gums out.

Yoongi hesitates for a second, looks at the door and back at Yoonji.

Yoonji squirms on the spot, confused, “apa...?” her voice cracks, “apaa...”

Hoseok bites down on his lower lip when Yoongi marches over and snatches Yoonji off of the floor. Hugging her to himself as he kisses her all over the face.

Yoonji buries her face against Yoongi's chest with a content sigh. Her eyes flutter close as her tiny hands grasp Yoongi's shirt. The baby rubs her face on Yoongi's chest, right over his heart, before pressing her ear there.

Yoongi cradles her, face buried in her hair…

“Where did she go?!” Jimin's shout makes Hoseok flinch, and he takes several steps back from Yoongi's threshold.

Yoongi jerks where he stands, looking at the door.

Hoseok curses, “I can't find her!”

Jimin comes running out of the nursery, “what?!”

Jimin looks frantic for a second before he looks at Yoongi's study. Hoseok closes his eyes as Jimin marches up to the door and gets inside. Hoseok follows him.

Jimin and Hoseok pause when they see Yoonji on the floor. Yoongi by the window.

“Can you take her out of here?” Yoongi snaps, not turning to them, “I am in a meeting right now!”

Hoseok looks at Yoonji and back at Yoongi. Jimin stares at Yoongi, not moving an inch.

“Apa...?” Yoonji says in a wobbly voice, trying to reach out, “apa...?” her voice cracks, tears sprinting in her eyes when Yoongi doesn't turn to her right away as he usually does.

Jimin chuckles, “don't worry,” he bends to grab Yoonji, “this will be the last time you hear her voice or see her face. I promise you that.”

Yoonji thrashes in Jimin's hold, turning entirely towards Yoongi, “apa!” she reaches out her small hands, desperately looking at Yoongi's back as the first sob leaves her lips, “apa?!”

Hoseok stands there, immobile, watching Yoonji cry her eyes out. It's like she feels something is breaking apart.

Her family.

Her favourite person is leaving her life.

Yoonji screams and thrashes in Jimin's hold. She has never been denied her appa's attention. As Jimin walks away, she keeps screaming and reaching for Yoongi.

As her cries echo down the hallway, slowly fading, Hoseok feels his own tears blurring his vision.

“I hope sticking your knot in that omega was worth this,” Hoseok chokes on his words, “I hope prioritizing one kid over the other two was worth it!” he takes a step back, “you are just like your father! Your father ruined Tae's life along with you two's, and you did just the same! Congratulations on that! Fuck you, Yoongi! Enjoy your solace now! I won't bother you again, either!”

Yoongi's phone rings, and he picks it up with a smile.

“Hey, babe. No, it's nothing,” Yoongi talks to the phone, “yeah, I will be there tonight,” he chuckles, bowing his head, “Imara, you worry too much. I am fine.”

Hoseok's chest dips as he breathes out. He takes a few steps backwards before he is turning on his heels and leaving the study.

Hoseok stops in front of the room that Jimin and Yoongi used to share. Jimin is standing in the middle of the room, holding a whimpering Yoonji to his chest, as Jiyoon sleeps peacefully strapped to his back.

Jimin wipes his eyes, “can you do something for me?”

Hoseok's lips wobble, “of course. Anything.”

“Can you destroy this room and the bed?” Jimin whispers, “I don't...” his voice catches, “I keep imaging them on this bed, this room-”

“I will take care of it,” Hoseok hurries to assure, “I will make sure I burn this entire house down before she steps over the threshold. I promise!”

Jimin shakes his head, “thank you.”

“You don't need to thank me,” Hosoek bows his head, hands grasped together in front of him, “for the clan's Luna, I can do this much.”

Jimin watches Hoseok, “I am no one to this pack,” he straps Yoonji up to himself, “goodbye, hyung.”

He leaves.

'*•.¸ Absquatulate ¸.•*'

Hoseok puts the last shirt in the bag, looking at the neatly packed suitcases around him. He looks at the room he occupied here for the last one and a half year.

His eyes trail over the photo frames he is leaving behind. All of those with Yoongi. He has packed every other one.

Hoseok snorts at himself. He can leave those pictures behind, but how can he leave his entire life behind? How can he ever erase the man from his memories who he can die for? Even now. No questions asked.

Hoseok picks up the suitcase, nods at the staffs who came to help him. As they carry out the luggage, he follows them down the empty hallway.

He looks over his shoulders as he reaches the main door of the house. The dimly lit house stares back at him lifelessly. No one is home.

The walls that used to vibrate with the pups' screams, giggles, cries, Jimin's shouts after them, Yoongi's laugh, Jimin and Yoongi's bickerings, all of their gatherings, are now quiet.

“Just give me a single reason to stay and I will,” Hoseok's eyes blur while he tries to breathe through his mouth, “just ask me to stay. Once. Please, Yoongi. Tell me this is a huge ass nightmare. Tell me you are kidding. Tell me it's a plan of yours and watch, I will fucking stick to you. Just stop me once.”

No one stops him.

Yoongi is in his studies and he didn't come down to see Hoseok off.

Hoseok takes a deep breath before turning on his feet and leaving. He looks at his phone to see Seojin's message, asking him where he is going, and doesn't reply.

He doesn't know where he is going. All he knows is Namjoon said he will find a place for him to stay and Hoseok will just trust him.

—

“Are you sure you will be fine?”

Jimin chuckles, “yes, Tae. Don't worry. I am fine here. The Park clan's main house is restored. I will stay here till I am done with the divorce. Then, I will hand over the business to Namjoon hyung before leaving. He will send me the monthly reports and money. I will be fine.”

Taehyung hesitates, “that's not what I am talking about, Mimi,” he licks his lower lip, “I am talking about how you are doing. You know... mentally, emotionally...”

Jimin thinks about Taehyung's words, “I think I am fine, Tae. To be very honest, I mourned my relationship since the day I found out about those pictures. I think I am fine now. I moved past it. Does it make sense?”

Taehyung is quiet. Jimin knows Taehyung is trying to find a way to form the right words to not hurt him.

“Are you coming here for the abortion?” Taehyung wonders.

Jimin thinks about it with a sigh, “yeah, I will meet you in a week for it. Then, I will be on my way.”

“On your way to where exactly?” Taehyung asks again.

Jimin hasn't thought about it. He looks at the babies sleeping peacefully in their cribs, and back at the garden he can see from his window.

“I haven't thought about it, really,” he frowns to himself, “I will see. Don't worry. I will let you know.”

“You can come here, you know?” Taehyung assures him, “if you want to stay here, I can manage something.”

Jimin doesn't want to go to Taehyung. He really doesn't want to be anywhere near the people who will remind him of his past. In ways he would much rather not remember them. He doesn't want to act like he is fine for days after days. He is tired of that already.

As soon as he cuts the call, he feels his facade drop. No matter how hard he tries, he can't carry on with that facade for long. He can't do it for days.

Jimin looks back at the babies and sits on the chair. Yoonji barely slept last night, waking up to cry and look around frantically, searching for someone who is not here anymore.

Jiyoon is quieter than Yoonji. He looks around with curious eyes to settle in the new place. He doesn't cry much, but he looks at Jimin and Jimin knows he is searching someone too. Someone who would lie them down on his chest and read them bedtime stories.

Someone who would pull Jimin close to wrap his arm around Jimin too.

Someone who will watch him get dressed for bed. Those eyes follow Jimin's every move until they roll and the alpha would get out of the bed with a curse. Jimin would giggle as he picks Jimin up in his arms and carry him to bed. The two of them cuddling up to each other with smiles on their faces.

Jimin can't help but wonder what went wrong for them. He can't help but stare at the wall for hours and think back on their past to neat pick the moments where things went wrong between them.

He can't. Not once Jimin felt like Yoongi was falling out of love with him. Not a single time. He wonders how the alpha managed to swipe everything under the rug like this.

=== Absquatulate II ===

Jimin doesn't do it on purpose. He has grown habituated to it. He pulls out his phone and opens Instagram and then he taps on the search.

The search history is right there. The name is right there. So many times Jimin thought of deleting the search history or the app itself but he can't bring himself to.

He keeps going back to scroll that feed like an obsessed stalker.

He checks Imara's account from his private one. Stares at the pictures for minutes. He tries to see something that he doesn't know himself.

What is he searching? The reason why she was worth all this? A hint to see since when those two got together? Jimin doesn't know.

He can pick up the pictures in which Yoongi is around. She doesn't post him publicly but those hints...

A selfie where an arm is wrapped around her. Jimin knows that arm.

A hazy shot of the morning sun from the bed. A silhouette sitting on the bed. Jimin knows that silhouette.

A dinner date. Jimin knows that restaurant.

He can't stop looking. It's like a destructive loop, and he can't break out of it.

Jimin breaks out of his trance when Jiyoon whimpers in his crib. He walks up to the baby, picking him up to hold him close.

Jimin goes to change Jiyoon's diaper when the knock on his door makes him flinch. He looks at the closed door and back at Jiyoon.

“Come in,” he hurries, “the door's open.”

Minho steps inside and bows right away, “sir, welcome home.”

Jimin chuckles, “hyung, you don't have to bow to me. You are older than me.”

Minho straightens, “you are the leader of our clan, sir. I can't forget that.”

The alpha's eyes go from Jimin to Jiyoon. He shifts on his feet.

“Do you mind waiting?” Jimin gestures at the couch, “I will be right there with you.”

Minho doesn't move, “do you need any assistance, sir?”

Jimin blinks, “uh, no. No, it's alright. I will join you. Please.”

Minho looks like he wants to push it but then he gives a small nod and goes to sit at the edge of the couch. As if he would spring up any moment if Jimin needs him.

After changing Jiyoon's diaper, Jimin carries him to the couch to sit. He rubs Jiyoon's back as the pup squirms, trying to settle against Jimin's scent gland.

“Yes, hyung?” Jimin looks at the alpha curiously.

“I just needed your thoughts on some things,” Minho opens his laptop, “let me...” he tries to awkwardly handle the laptop from the other side until Jimin lets out a soft laugh and pats the empty space beside him.

Minho sits down beside Jimin, talking animatedly about the business. The two of them get immersed. As Jimin picks up the laptop, Minho takes Jiyoon from him. He puts Jiyoon on his chest, rubbing the pup's back while Jimin works.

“He fell asleep,” Minho says after a while.

Jimin blinks, “oh, yeah... uhm, let me get him to bed.”

Minho waves his hand, “you carry on. I got this.”

Jimin watches Minho walk up to Jiyoon's bed and set him down. The alpha carefully puts the blanket over the baby, putting a gentle hand over Jiyoon's chest until the pup stops squirming. Jimin notices the small smile on Minho's face before he looks back at the laptop.

—

The empty hallways echo the sound of the heels. Sanghee looks around the house as she makes her way towards Yoongi's study.

She knocks on the door and opens it before Yoongi can answer.

The alpha is nursing a tumbler of whiskey while staring at the fireplace lazily. Yoongi doesn't turn to greet her.

“So, everyone's gone then?” she walks around the couch to sit on the other one.

Yoongi doesn't answer her. Sanghee looks around the study and curses.

“Yoongi, what the fuck are you doing?” Sanghee grips the armrest with urgency as she demands an answer.

Yoongi's eyes don't waver from the fire, “why are you here at this hour?”

“To check up on you,” Sanghee glares, “to make sure you are fine. I can't just give up, Yoongi. I can't just accept whatever you are trying to make everyone accept! I...” her throat bobs, “I didn't give up on you when I was away, and I won't give up on you now. Tell me. What's wrong?”

“You have a girlfriend, Sanghee,” Yoongi smirks at the fire, “are you here to confess to me now? I don't want to be a homewrecker, really.”

Sanghee inhales sharply, “don't try that with me, Yoongi. You can't hurt me away. You will talk to me. I need to know what's going on!”

Yoongi takes a long gulp of the whiskey, “nothing's wrong. I just wanted some time alone. But,” his eyes finally flicker over to Sanghee, “of course, I can't get that. Can I?”

Sanghee feels helpless. Yoongi pours some more whiskey in his glass, chugs it like it doesn't burn down his throat. She hugs herself as he realizes, this is not the Yoongi she ever met.

“Why are you doing this, Yoongi?” Sanghee's voice cracks, “one day you will regret it so badly. The day your pups forget you... the day he finds another alpha... the day he moves on to build another family... the day your pups come to know about you and what you did... they will hate you, Yoongi.”

“They will hate you like Tae hates your father,” Sanghee's voice is nothing but a whisper, “you will regret this, Yoongi. Unless,” she gets up to walk over to him, kneeling by his knees, “this is a stupid plan of yours to protect them from some threat,” she grips Yoongi's hand, “if that's it, you can still salvage this. We will help you.”

“All of us will help you, Yoonie. We will stand by you and fight whoever it is,” she squeezes Yoongi's hand in both of hers, “I am begging you to tell me, Yoonie. Please. If this is all because someone is threatening you, we can handle that. You always found a way out. Didn't you? You always will. No one can win against you, Yoongi. I believe that.”

“Not even death?” Yoongi's voice is empty of any emotions, his eyes stuck on the fire.

Sanghee snorts, “you defeated death so many times, Yoongi. What are you...” she pauses when a cruel smirk crosses Yoongi's lips.

Yoongi sighs, “there is someone,” he blows out a breath, “a threat that's looming over me. A big one at that.”

Sanghee holds her breath...

When Yoongi doesn't elaborate, Sanghee shrugs, “we will fight it. If that's all, we will see through it. Are you an idiot?! Why are you giving in to that threat?! Whatever it is, we will get through it, Yoongi. It might take some time—”

“That's the point, Sannie,” Yoongi's eyes gleam over, “I don't have time. Not much of it.”

Silence falls in the room.

Yoongi's eyes find her as those lips quiver, “I am dying...”

The three words sit heavy between them. Sanghee's eyes stuck on Yoongi, Yoongi stares back.

For a few seconds, Sanghee just sits, dumbfounded. Then she opens her mouth and closes it. She frowns, trying to make sense of what Yoongi said.

“Because of that threat?” she forces out, “if that's it... we can—”

Yoongi looks back at the fireplace, “there's someone who wants to take over this clan. Someone who is coming after me. That's not the threat I am worried about. I was ready to dive into that threat, but...” he closes his eyes, “I can't find this. This...”

“What are you talking about?” Sanghee chokes out, “be fucking clear!”

Yoongi sighs, “brain tumour. Last stage. I barely have a month or so in my hands.”

He looks at the glass in his hand, “I had to make sure after I am gone, the pups are protected and he...” he grips the glass, “is fine, too. I can't keep them here. Not when that person is still unknown who wants this clan. After I am gone, I don't want any of them to face any trouble. So, I have decided to sign my clan up to that person.”

“I don't care about the clan!” Sanghee springs up on her feet, “I don't want to know about all that! Yoongi!”

“Why didn't you tell Jimin?!” Sanghee trembles where she stands, “why didn't you—”

“Then he won't fucking leave my side!” Yoongi roars, standing up to loom over Sanghee, “then, that fool will stick with me, and after I die, he will be the target of that unknown threat! You want me to leave him to face all that?!”

“So, instead, you would let him believe the person he fell in love with cheated on him—”

“He will move on,” Yoongi turns away, “find someone. Love can happen more than once...” he balls his hands, “happened to me. Will happen for him, too. I...” Yoongi closes his eyes, “he will never know what happened to me. I will make sure of it.”

“How?!” Sanghee demands, marching up to Yoongi, “how would he never find out, you fool?!”

Sanghee scoffs, “you really think none of the others will figure it out? Ever?! You really think none of them will ever come to search for you?! How do you think no one will find out what happened to you?”

“I am leaving for my island after the divorce,” Yoongi waves his hand, “after my death, I have paid someone to destroy my house there. It will look like an attack.”

Sanghee grimaces, “do you hear yourself?!”

“I can't have him around me,” Yoongi hisses, “you aren't understanding, Sanghee.”

“Make me understand, then,” she crosses her arms over her chest, “I want to. Trust me.”

Yoongi goes to sit on his chair, “if I told him everything, he would never leave my side. He would stick with me and then cling to my memories for the rest of his life. First, I can't have him in this clan knowing someone is after it. Second, I can't fathom the thought of him mourning me—”

“He is mourning you right now, you idiot!” Sanghee screams, “he is mourning you right now!”

“He is mourning the love you two shared, he is mourning the trust he had in you, he is mourning the home he built around you, he is mourning the mate he lost!” Sanghee whimpers, “how are you so dense, Yoongi? You want to see him happy in the future? He is dying right now! What about that?!”

“Yes, he will find someone. Maybe,” she wipes her tears furiously, “but, what about the emotional damage, Yoongi? He will forever doubt himself! He will forever wonder why he wasn't enough! Why you cheated! You want to leave him with those thoughts?! You want to protect him from an outsider's threat?! What about protecting him from his own mind?! The scars you are leaving behind, they will live on!”

When Yoongi doesn't say anything, Sanghee rounds the table to grab the alpha by his shoulders. She jerks Yoongi with force and snarls when Yoongi looks up at her.

“You need to tell him everything. Clear each one of his doubts. You need to make him understand what happened. You are protecting him physically, maybe, but mentally you will leave him dead. Yoongi, what the fuck?!”

“Not only him, your friends,” Sanghee sniffles, “your actual family. You need to tell them, they didn't waste their loyalty on you. You need to justify their sacrifices. You need to understand, they deserve to know they were not wrong for loving you. They will never trust another person if you leave like this, Yoongi. Come on!”

“I...” Yoongi shakes his head, “no. It will do nothing good—” he curses, “I don't want to tell them. It will do no good. I have it all planned—”

“You can't just leave like that, Yoongi,” Sanghee hisses, “I know I am going to sound very blunt but if you really don't have much time, why not spend it with the ones who love you than alone on a damn island?! I can't even imagine that, Yoongi!”

Yoongi looks at Sanghee, “you accepted it pretty soon.”

Sanghee shakes her head, “it hasn't settled in yet. It will, and then I will be a mess. I don't want to acknowledge that information for as long as I can.”

Yoongi snorts, “so, you get to run, but I don't?” he rubs his hands down his face, “I want to do everything you just said. Trust me. I do. But...”

“I need him to hate me,” Yoongi leans back on his chair, defeated, “I need him to go far, far away from this country with the pups. I won't be here to protect the pups or him. The person I am talking about is dangerous. I have planned their security, even after I am gone, but if Jimin stays or try to invade in this clan, they will get to him. But, now Jimin won't. He...” Yoongi's eyes gloss over, “he promised he will never tell the pups about me. He said he will never look back. Not take a single look at this clan. I need him to stick to that. I need him to hate me for the rest of his life so he stays away. I don't care if you don't get me. This is what the three of them need.”

“I can't keep him by my side and endanger his life. I can't hold the pups to myself for my selfish reasons and then leave them in the darkest pit of danger after I am gone. I need to protect them, and I am doing just that—”

“How would you protect them after you are gone?” Sanghee drops on the chair across from Yoongi, “how, Yoongi?”

Yoongi shrugs, “I have people,” he looks away, “people who will do anything to make sure they are alright—”

“Namjoon,” Sanghee whispers, “you told Namjoon,” her eyes widen, “that's why he left first! To find a place for Hobi and take him away! That's why he didn't break your bones after we saw those pictures of you with that woman... oh, god!”

Sanghee pauses, “that woman! Her son! What the fuck is that?!”

Yoongi shrugs, looking away, “there was no other way Jimin would leave my side... so—”

“But,” Sanghee frowns, “Ian...? I saw that boy, and he does look like you!”

Yoongi says nothing to that, turning his chair away, “promise me, you won't tell them about all this.”

“I will tell Jimin everything,” Sanghee hisses, “I will take that boy for DNA test myself! I will put Jimin's heart at ease! You can't do this, Yoongi! You can't do this to both of you!”

Yoongi swivels around, glaring at Sanghee, “no. You won't! You are fucking emotional and not understanding the point—”

=== Absquatulate II ===

“Don't worry, Yoongi,” Sanghee steps away from the desk, “he won't come back, no matter what. What you did is unforgivable. Trust me.”

She storms away, wiping her tears on her way out of the house. Yoongi closes his eyes, leaning back against the chair as he hears her footsteps fade.

—

“So, we will get the abortion done as soon as we can manage,” Taehyung smiles at Jimin across the table, “we just need to run a few tests on you. Don't worry. You will be free from all this in a week.”

Jimin stares at the food on his plate. He acknowledges Taehyung's words with a small nod.

He hasn't acknowledged the pregnancy at all since he came to know about it. He hasn't thought about it at all. In fear that he will get attached. He hasn't looked at himself in the mirror for days now. In fear that his eyes will travel down to his flat stomach.

He doesn't want to get attached.

There's a sense of dread that fills him. Something so achingly heavy sits in his chest as he hears Taehyung talk about it.

That night, after taking a shower, Jimin finally stands in front of the sink. He blows out a breath and looks up at himself. His eyes slowing travels down to his flat stomach.

His hands grip the edge of the sink-counter as he stares at his stomach. The mating mark has healed there. Something Jimin needs to remove soon.

He hesitates. His hand twitches as he tries to put it over his stomach. He can't, he turns away with a sniffle, shaking his head to himself.

“I am sorry,” he whispers in the silence, “I am so sorry.”

He goes to bed with tears welling in his eyes. He flops down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Jimin flinches when his phone rings, he reaches for it to see it's Sanghee.

Dread fills him as he stares at the name. He doesn't want to talk to her. He doesn't have that energy to entertain anyone at this point.

Sanghee keeps calling and Jimin picks up on her sixth call.

“Jimin, there's something you need to know,” she sounds breathless, “something important. Do you have some time?”

“I am sleepy,” Jimin rolls on his side, “what's wrong?”

“Jimin...” Sanghee swallows, blowing out a breath, “it's about Yoongi.”

“I don't want to know,” Jimin buries his face into the pillow, “I just don't want to know—”

“Jimin,” Sanghee's voice cracks, “he's...” she blows out a breath, “god, I, he is—”

Jimin hears the screeching of a tire and then the loud crash. He flinches, sitting up with a jolt.

“Sanghee?!”

Jimin pulls the phone back to look at it. The call is not disconnected. He puts the phone back to his ear, listening to the screams and movements.

“Sanghee?!” Jimin shouts, getting out of the bed to run to Taehyung and Jungkook's room.

Jungkook takes the phone from Jimin, already on call with Jin as the line goes dead on Sanghee's end.

Jin doesn't pick up, either. Jungkook dials Hoseok, pacing around the room as Taehyung tries to calm Jimin down.

“Why's no one picking up their fucking phones?!” Jungkook roars, “where are they?!”

“Namjoon hyung isn't picking up, either!” Taehyung hisses, “what the fuck is going on?!”

Jimin tries to breathe through the fog in his mind. He tries to shake himself out of the trance, where he can still hear the crash on Sanghee's end.

He feels Taehyung's arm wrap around him to hold him close, but it does nothing. He is cold, terrified and worried.

“Call him,” Jimin swallows, looking up at Jungkook, “call him.”

Jungkook's face crumbles, “he is fine,” he juts his chin out, “no need to call him. He is fucking fine!”

“Are you angry or assuring yourself?” Taehyung whispers.

Jungkook grips the phone. With a deep breath, he dials Yoongi's number. It's out of service.

Jimin feels his guts twist, “call someone who will fucking pick up!” he screams.

Jungkook dials the security chief of the Min household. He doesn't pick up either.

Jimin reaches for his phone, dialling Minho's number. Minho comes inside as soon as Jungkook opens the door for him.

“Sir, don't worry,” he pulls out his phone, “I will try to get in contact with someone. Wait a second.”

Minho goes to talk to the Park clan. While he is gone, Jungkook tries everyone from the Min clan until someone picks up.

Minho comes back to bow to Jimin, “there's...” he licks his lower lip, “the Min household is under attack at the moment, sir. I couldn't get anything on the others, though.”

Jimin's head spins sharply once, and he is choking on the bile rising to his mouth. Taehyung grabs him with a cry of his name, rubbing his back.

“What do you mean by attack?!” Jungkook rounds on Minho.

“It's bombed,” Minho squirms in Jungkook's hold, “and, there is firing.”

Jungkook's mouth opens and closes. His hold on Minho loosens as he steps back.

“Was the house empty?” Taehyung whispers with fearful eyes.

Minho looks at Taehyung and back at the ground, “I am not sure.”

The room is silent. All of them stay where they are, immobile. Minho looks at Jimin who looks too pale for his liking.

Minho shifts on his legs, trying not to reach out, “sir,” he addresses Jimin, “I will try to find out if the house was empty or not—”

“I will go,” Jungkook runs for the closet.

Taehyung looks at Jungkook and says nothing. Jimin watches the alpha come back to the room with his passport and wallet, stopping to look at Taehyung.

“I have to go,” Jungkook's voice wavers, “I have to...” he gestures at the door, “I can't... if something happens to him...” he looks at Jimin, tears rolling down his eyes, “hyung...I...”

“It would take you hours to reach the country,” Minho tries to reason, “by then, whatever it is, it will be too late anyway.”

Jungkook glares at Minho, “keep your advices for yourself!” he looks at Taehyung, “you two, take care. I will be back.”

“We should come with you—” Taehyung stops when Jungkook shakes his head.

“No,” the alpha gestures at Minho, “I don't know what's wrong there. You two are staying far away from that country for now. Minho is here. You,” he nods at Taehyung, “take care of hyung. I will be back.”

Minho's phone rings.

Minho picks it up and frowns as he listens to the other side, “there are multiple bombing in the country...?” he looks around at the others, “is this some gang war we had no clue about—”

Jungkook grabs Minho's phone, “how many and where?” his chest dips as he listens, “oh, god...”

Jungkook gives the phone to Minho and looks at Taehyung.

“One bombing happened in the area where Jin hyung is staying,” Jungkook swallows, “the other one in the Daegu house,” he nods when realization crosses Taehyung's eyes, “and another some place I don't know...”

“They are targeting us,” Jimin murmurs, making everyone look at him, “someone is trying to wipe out all of us.”

“If that's the case, then,” Taehyung looks at Jungkook, “we are not safe, either!”

Jungkook snaps his fingers at Minho, “get the car! We are leaving the house right now! The last bombing happened a few minutes ago! Come on!”

“Where are we going?! The babies, we have to make sure they are safe!” Jimin curses out loud, “shit, where should we go?!”

“The hospital,” Taehyung grabs his phone, “we are going to the hospital!”

Minho runs out of the room to get the car. Jimin gathers the babies, strapping them up with Taehyung's help.

“We will be fine,” Taehyung assures, “don't worry, okay? It's probably just a coincidence.”

Jimin gives a jerky nod, looking over at Taehyung, “knowing where we are from,” he snorts, “nothing is coincidence.”

—

Minho's phone rings again as he sits beside the driver.

“Sir,” the man on the other end sounds frantic, “do we send help for the Min clan? They need the fire truck, but theirs is destroyed—”

“No need,” Minho looks at the door as Jimin runs out with the babies, “that house is already demolished. Keep everything for our clan if we need it. Just in case.”

“But, sir?” the man hesitates, “alpha Min might be there—”

“Then, let him die. You know what he did,” Minho's eyes move with Jimin, “I am just narrating sir's orders. Sir doesn't want to send help. So, stay put and follow sir's orders!”

He cuts the call as soon as Jimin yanks the door open, getting inside with the other two.

Jimin straps the babies in before looking at Minho, “send our men to help the clan,” he reaches to squeeze Minho's shoulder, “shall I call or—”

“I already did, sir,” Minho assures with a kind smile, “don't worry. Our clan is on their way to help the Min clan.”

Jimin gives a small nod before settling down on his seat.

Jungkook keeps calling the others on their way to the hospital. No one picks up. Taehyung takes them to Seojoon's office, thankfully the doctor is not there. They sit around, not sure what to do next.

Jungkook's phone buzzes with an unknown number.

“Koo,” Hoseok sounds breathless, “it's me.”

“Hyung! Where have you been?! I—”

“Our place was bombed,” Hoseok curses, “they chose a great time, eh?” he snorts, “it's early morning. We were supposed to sleep peacefully on our beds. We would have died in our sleep.”

“How did you make out of it?” Jungkook wipes his eyes.

“We three went for a drive,” Hoseok sighs, “don't worry. We are on our way to the house. We will keep you updated.”

“Sanghee noona...”

Jimin looks at his phone, opens it and closes it. He looks at the babies, peacefully sleeping. With a deep breath, he goes to type out that number he has memorized ages ago.

Minho takes the phone from him, kneeling by Jimin, “even if you call, he can't pick up right now, can he?” he places the phone in his chest pocket, squeezing Jimin's knees, “I am keeping my eyes on the situation, sir. Please calm down. Okay?”

Jimin looks at the phone, “I just...”

“I will call his girlfriend,” Minho nods when Jimin's wide eyes snap to him, “I will get her number somehow and reach out to her. I am pretty sure he was there at her apartment anyway. He is safe, I am sure, sir. Calm down, okay?”

Jimin's face crumbles as he looks away. He closes his eyes, as if trying to remind himself that Yoongi has someone now. Someone who will take care of him. A damn family...

—

The house is burning. Hoseok looks at it while the others run around to try and stop the fire.

“Where is the fire engine?!” Namjoon roars, “how the fuck is it not here yet?!”

“Is Yoongi in there?!” Jin screams, “did you find him?!”

One man points at the house, “we can't even get in for quite some time! There were some people who were firing at anyone who tried to get inside! By the time those men left, the house was entirely on fire!”

Hoseok looks at the fire engines coming in. He watches them run towards the house. Someone comes up to Namjoon to tell him why they were late. They are arguing over something.

Hoseok stands where he is. His eyes stuck on the burning house.

“Don't make me regret leaving your side,” Hoseok bites back a sob, “be safe, you fucking idiot. Please. Please, Yoongi. Please...”

TW — burn/gore/death/injuries

The firefighters start to carry out bodies. The three of them stand and watch the burnt bodies one by one. Hoseok tears up as he sees the known faces of the house helps.

Four bodies line up on the ground as more firefighters run inside. Some start to bring more people, many are injured but still breathing.

“I am sure he is fine,” Namjoon wraps his arm around Hoseok, “I am sure—”

“He will never leave the house with his people still inside,” Hoseok murmurs lifelessly, “he will never run to save his life and leave these people behind to die. He's...” he leans on Namjoon, “he is in there.”

Hoseok feels his heart dip as soon as four firefighters run out with a stretcher. Hoseok leaps forward as soon as he sees the person on it.

“Don't come near him!” one of the firefighter screams, putting up a hand, “he is barely breathing! We need to take him to the hospital right now before something happens!”

Hoseok runs after the stretcher, his eyes on an unconscious Yoongi.

=== Absquatulate II ===

Jimin hears about Yoongi from the phone call with Jin. The three of them huddled close to hear what Jin has to say.

“We are at the hospital,” Seokjin sounds tired, “the doctors are looking after him. They said it's a second degree burn. He was drunk and didn't make an attempt to leave the place. Probably because he lost consciousness. We don't know yet. I will call you if we know something more.”

Jimin hugs himself as a cold shiver runs down his spine. He tries to shake off that sensation. Tries to stay as unaffected as he can. Yet, his heart betrays him. It speeds up in worry, no matter how much Jimin forces it to stay calm.

“The fire engines didn't reach on time?” Jungkook demands to know.

“Ours were facing some issues that I think was planned too, and, the Parks...” Jin sighs, “they came so damn late.”

“We tried to send it as soon as we heard the news,” Jimin murmurs, “I guess, by then it was late.”

“Yeah, I am not blaming anyone,” Seokjin rubs his hand over his face, “anyway, I will ask you all to be careful. I really don't know what went down. Sanghee is not found yet. We are trying to trace her. Please, you all, stay safe. If you need some help, let me know. I will send some of the clan members there.”

The room fills with silence as soon as the call ends. Jimin walks over to the babies, sitting down between them. He pulls both of them to his chest, hugging them as close to him as he can.

Taehyung wraps his arm around Jungkook. The two of them huddled together. Minho stands at the door, keeping his eyes on the hallway for anything suspicious.

—

Hoseok looks at the doctor, who called him aside to talk to him about Yoongi. With clammy hands pressed against his side and weakening knees trying to give up any moment, Hoseok sits on the offered chair. He hopes he can sit through whatever made the doctor look that gloomy.

“The burn will be treated, sir, that's not why we asked you to join us,” the doctor looks at his laptop, “what we called you here for is, the medical record of him,” those sharp eyes find Hoseok, “there are reports of a brain tumour, last stage, here.”

Hoseok feels his muscles go lax.

He looks at the laptop and back at the doctor, “th...there must be an error—”

“No, sir,” the doctor turns the laptop towards Hoseok and points, “as you can see, all these x-ray reports are showing the tumour. It's the last stage,” he shakes his head, “all of his reports are saying the same thing. His personal physician also noted the symptoms. Most of them are the same for a brain tumour.”

“Have you not been around him enough to know the symptoms?” the doctor frowns, “they must be severe.”

“What are the symptoms?” Hoseok demands.

The doctor lists the symptoms, “if you were around him enough, you would pick up on it.”

Hoseok realizes, he hasn't. For quite some time now, Yoongi is distancing himself from everyone.

His vision starts to blur as he realizes now, why the alpha did that.

“No, I didn't pick up on it,” Hoseok lets out a hopeless laugh, “he didn't let me stay close to him for quite some time now. So...” he tries to breathe through the clog in his throat, Hoseok feels suffocated, “now?”

The doctor shrugs, “we will run our own tests. The reports will decide if his body can endure the treatment or not.”

Hoseok sits on that chair while the doctor leaves. He looks back at the last few weeks he spent around Yoongi.

How the alpha would always nurse a headache. Tell him to bring a pill for it. How the alpha would be dizzy time to time, making Hoseok curse him and tell him to rest more. How did he never pick up on those? How did he not pick up on it when Yoongi kept saying he needs to check his vision. How the alpha would say he vomited once or twice...

A sob wrecks through Hoseok. How did he never pick up on those things?

Hoseok hears Jin and Namjoon walk in. He hears them saying how Yoongi's body is not responding to any treatment. How the alpha's breathing has slowed down and they sound so alarmed.

Hoseok feels nothing. His own breathing slows while he hears Namjoon frantically calling some other doctors for their input or help.

“We need to call Imara,” Seokjin nods firmly when Namjoon glares, “we like it or not, she was there with him for the last few months. She would know if he was taking any meds or anything else. She would, right?”

Hoseok says nothing. He hears Seokjin calling Imara, telling her to come to the hospital for something important.

“Do we tell the others?” Seokjin looks at Hoseok and Namjoon.

“No need,” Namjoon snaps, “Jimin doesn't need to know. Neither does Taehyung or Jungkook. We will figure something out. If we tell them, they would want to come back and we can't have them here. Their lives are at risk, along with the babies. Don't tell them.”

Imara comes to the hospital in her nightwear. She looks frantic as she meets them. Hoseok's skin crawls as he watches the woman.

Something in him crushes as she bursts out crying into her hands. Hoseok looks away, letting Seokjin ask her about the health issues Yoongi was facing.

Imara wipes her eyes, “I don't know what meds he took.”

Seokjin frowns, “have you not seen him? Didn't ask?” he leans forward on his chair, “when he was around you,” he hesitates, grimacing, “spent the nights at your apartment... how did you not pick up on him being ill?”

Imara looks away, “I... I never noticed anything wrong.”

Imara keeps saying she has no clue about Yoongi's meds, or she never saw the man ill. Hoseok loses it after a few minutes.

“Stop fucking lying!” Hoseok screams, pushing off of the wall to march over to her, “I have no fucking patience left in me. I will,” he pulls out his gun and points it at her, “easily get rid of you if you don't open your damn mouth and start to talk! You are clearly hiding something!”

“Whatever relation you had with him,” Seokjin's jaw hardens, “apparently, he is the father of your son. You should be more concerned. Don't you think?”

Namjoon squirms, “if she doesn't know anything, why are we pushing it?”

Seokjin and Hoseok look at him in confusion, and Namjoon shrugs.

“Let's not waste time?” Namjoon points at her, “it's clear she has no idea about anything, and she is visibly shaken up.”

Hoseok looks at her, “right, your son,” he crouches before her, “Ian, is it?”

Her face goes pale. Hoseok smirks.

“I will get my hands on him,” Hoseok moves the gun in his hand to make her focus on it, “I should bring him in, huh? See what that kid got has to say about all this. How he reacts in front of a gun—”

“No!” Imara shakes her head, “no! I will speak. Please, no! Leave him out of this!”

She blows out a breath, exchanging a look with Namjoon, “I really don't know anything.”

Hoseok springs up, “okay, let's bring that little kid—”

“No!” Imara grabs his hand with both of hers, “believe me! I don't. Really!” tears roll down her cheeks as she shakes her head, “except for those public appearances, we never met. He didn't spend a single hour in my presence after those events. I have no clue about his illness. Trust me!”

Seokjin scoffs, “yeah, we need to believe that. Of course.”

“You can ask your man!” Imara points at Namjoon, making Hoseok and Seokjin freeze, “he knows! He rent out the apartment beside me for Yoongi to stay the nights, so it looks like he spent the nights with me!”

Hoseok and Seokjin turn to Namjoon.

“The kid looks like Yoongi though...?” Seokjin murmurs, staring at Namjoon and then at Imara.

“I am...” Imara looks away, shudders, “I used to work at one of the Min clan's clubs. Yoongi's hyung...” she shrugs, “he would spend time with me. Ian is his son.”

Seokjin closes his eyes, “he was married.”

Imara scoffs, “yes, that's why he planned to kill me. I ran away, but...” she sniffles, “got caught nonetheless...”

“You knew all this?” Hoseok asks Namjoon in a barely audible voice.

Namjoon's throat bobs, “I...” he nods, “I was there when we rescued Imara from that gang. She was caught—”

“I frankly don't care about her right now,” Hoseok snaps, “you knew Yoongi was ill? You knew what she was to Yoongi and you lied to Jimin? To everyone? To me? Why?!”

Namjoon winces at Hoseok's rising voice, “because, Yoongi asked me to.”

Seokjin snorts, “and, suddenly you were oh, so loyal to him?”

Namjoon glares at the alpha, “he wanted to protect Jimin,” he looks at Hosoek pleadingly, “he knew about a looming threat that would harm each one of us. He wanted to protect Jimin and the pups. Also... his tumour was already on the last stage. So—”

“So, you were like, 'eh, whatever. Let him die. Let me find a way to save Jimin from the heartache,' yeah?” Hoseok laughs, “so? Did you save Jimin? You think Jimin is partying for the last few months?!”

Namjoon curses, “for fuck's sake, Hobi. We can't be emotional when there's a threat over one's life! I know emotionally he is not doing okay but he is not dead and he would move on with time! This was the best outcome!”

“No, it was not!” Seokjin seethes, standing up beside Hoseok, “you two idiots really think physically dying is the only thing we need saving from?! You two killed Jimin emotionally. How could you agree to such stupidity?! I understand him losing his mind in this situation, but, Namjoon, you too?!”

“No, he had his own reasons,” Hoseok snorts, making them look at him, “he still has feelings for Jimin, and he just took the chance.”

Namjoon goes taut. Seokjin's eyes snap from Hoseok to Namjoon.

Hoseok wipes his eyes with the back of his hand, “because, anything else you say will never justify tearing apart a family. Yoongi is going through something that he might not recover from. I expect him to lose his mind, but what you did has no other explanation.”

“I will tell Jimin everything,” Hoseok pulls out his phone, “and, let him decide what he wants to do with this information. Something, you both should have done!”

Namjoon grabs Hoseok's phone, “stop! He won't be able to handle this. He has gone through enough. He is already broken—”

“That's the point, Namjoon,” Hoseok yanks his hand free to glare at the alpha, “you think broken people are fragile. They are not! He can handle the truth. I am sure of it! He deserves to know!”

Seokjin takes a hold of Namjoon's hand, “stay out of this. You already messed up everything. If Yoongi is really taking his last breaths in there,” he stops to compose himself, “at least, his husband should know.”

Namjoon looks at Hoseok who is already speaking. He looks back at Imara who shakes her head at him with tears in her eyes.

Seokjin looks at Imara, “where is Ian?”

She wipes her eyes, “home. With his nanny. I should go,” she looks at the door of the cabin, “I just... he will ask about his uncle. He,” she stands up, “really loves Yoongi.”

Seokjin's eyes gloss over, “if these two didn't mess things up, Ian could have met his cousins, and they would bond,” he glares at Namjoon, “the pups would love him, I am sure.”

Imara leaves after Seokjin appoints a guard with her. Just to keep an eye.

Hoseok comes back to them, “I told him everything.”

The two hold their breaths. Hoseok's eyes are red-rimmed as he blows out a breath.

“They are taking the next flight back,” the alpha wipes his eyes.

—

Jungkook is sobbing when he reaches the hospital. He plasters himself on the door, trying to get a glimpse of Yoongi. Taehyung is more in control of his emotions. He is angry on Yoongi.

Hoseok's eyes search the empty corridor until Taehyung notices him and snorts.

“You really expected him to come running?” Taehyung looks away, “he went to his pack. He came back because we were. Otherwise, he wasn't planning on returning so abruptly.”

Hoseok expected it, he nods, “I hope that clan is safe. The pups...?”

“They are fine,” Taehyung looks at the closed door, “the Park clan's security is so damn strong. Nothing is invading that.”

Hoseok feels drained, “do you want to check those reports?”

Taehyung looks at him, “no. I...” his face crumbles, “I can't. I can't.”

—

“Sir, the dinner is ready.”

Minho looks at the omega lying on the bed. He hesitates. The dimly lit room smells of something dead. The scent so powerful, it makes Minho's stomach turn.

Minho knocks on the door again, “sir.”

Jimin sighs, “I am not hungry, Minho. Please close the door after you.”

Minho sighs, “sir, you haven't eaten anything since we landed. It has been two days. Please.”

Jimin says nothing.

Minho steps inside the room with the tray of food, “you need to be fine. The pups need you to be fine.”

Jimin doesn't move an inch. Minho sits the tray down on the tea-table, looking over at the omega on the bed.

Minho walks over to the omega's bed and crouches beside it. He reaches to place a hand on Jimin's limp one.

The omega looks lifelessly at him, and something in Minho cracks. He squeezes that hand in his.

“You need to be fine,” Minho gently pulls Jimin up to a sitting position, “for your pups. For yourself and your clan. For,” his heart skips a beat, “the ones who actually love you.”

Minho takes the tray of food and places it on his own lap. He takes some rice and holds it in front of Jimin's lips with the chopsticks.

Jimin's empty eyes find him, “was there any call for me?”

There was a call from Hoseok. Then a message when Jimin didn't pick up. Yoongi's condition keeps deteriorating. The doctors wanted to know if his mate could come. The physical presence would put the alpha at ease.

Minho shakes his head, “there was no call.”

He deleted that message.

“Our mating bond is barely thrumming, Minho,” Jimin whispers, his chest dips with the shaky inhale, “since morning... I can't feel it unless I put my hand over it...” his tortured eyes find Minho.

Minho's heart clenches in his chest, “it's because he is sedated. I am sure he is fine, otherwise, they would call, right?”

Minho hesitates, “you will be fine if the mating mark stops responding—”

“No!” Jimin's eyes widen, “no, no,” he looks disturbed, “god, I hate him. I will never look back at him in my entire life, but...” he grips the bedsheet, “I don't want him to die,” tears brim in those eyes, “I don't want him to die.”

Yoongi is dying. Minho got his information. He knows the man is taking his last breath as they talk.

Their shared bond is what keeping Yoongi alive till now. Jimin's sheer willpower is what keeping Yoongi alive as they talk. The doctors gave up this morning.

Minho licks his lips. Now, Jimin needs to let go of Yoongi.

“What he did is so wrong,” Minho sighs, “how could he inflict such pain on you, sir, I will never understand. An alpha's first priority should be their family. Their omega. How could he lie...”

Jimin stares at the food, immobile.

Minho's eyes skim down to Jimin's abdomen, hidden under his shirt. He wants to carve that mark out of Jimin. He wants to remove the mating mark, so Yoongi has nothing holding him back anymore.

Minho's phone rings. He pulls it out to see a message from the clan's boarder security.

He frowns, clicking on it. A cold shiver runs down his spine as he reads it.

“Jeon Jungkook is here at the gate. He demands to talk to sir right now.”

Minho licks his lips, typing back, “Sir is in no position to talk. Tell him to leave or there will be consequences.”

Minho gets a call from the chief, “he is refusing to leave, sir. He looks frantic and I don't think he is going to listen to any of us.”

Minho leaves Jimin's side to get out of the room, “give the phone to him. Tell him to leave—”

He hears the firing and the roar of a bike. The chief curses and Minho glares.

“Shoot him down!”

=== Absquatulate II ===

“We can't shoot him down, sir!” the chief hisses, “it will start a war between the two clans and that's not something we can afford!”

Minho grimaces, looking at Jimin's bedroom and back, “fine, let him in!”

—

Jimin looks at Jungkook who walks through the door of his bedroom. The omega grips the bedsheet when he notices the dark-circles under Jungkook's eyes. The defeated look Jungkook offers him...

“He's not going to make it,” Jungkook whispers in an emotionless tone.

Those words leave a heavy weight over Jimin's chest. Too heavy for him to breathe.

“Why are you here, then?” Jimin forces himself to sound nonchalant.

Jungkook looks around aimlessly, as if he is not sure either, “I thought... maybe, you being there will help?”

“Maybe... seeing his family—”

“The family he so easily abandoned,” Jimin scoffs, looking away with distaste, “please, do not patronize me with the reasoning. I don't need that.”

Jungkook looks at him with tears rolling down his cheeks, “then, let him go.”

Jimin frowns in confusion, “huh?”

“He is not fighting anymore,” Jungkook shrugs, “he gave up. It's your omega holding onto him through that damn bond. Come with me. Get it removed! Let him go!”

Jimin retreats when Jungkook reaches for him, “what do you mean—”

“He is not responding to any treatment, there are too many things I can't sit and describe right now. I am here to ask you to either help him live or let him go. Please.” Jungkook begs almost.

“The mating bond, your energy source is what feeding him till now,” Jungkook frowns, “it's hurting him. I can't describe it well, please come with me, so the doctors can tell you what's wrong. Please.”

Minho steps closer to the bed, “sir... you are too weak for such hasty decisions. I would suggest you rest.”

“His alpha is clinging onto his mate through the mating bond,” Jungkook urges, “it's keeping him alive, but the meds aren't working anymore. He's in pain. Please some with me. If the doctors can't do something with you there, then, at least, they can remove the bond and let him...” Jungkook breaks out into a sob, wiping at his eyes hurriedly, “go.”

Jimin gets up like a robot. He holds up his hand when Minho tries to protest.

“The babies,” Jimin tells him, “look after them for me, Minho. Until I come back. Jungkook,” he gestures at the door, “let's go.”

—

Jimin goes to the hospital to see Yoongi in ventilation. He walks through the door to the doctor's chamber and sees Hoseok already sitting on one of the chairs. He sits down as the doctor greets him.

“Mr. Park,” the doctor looks at him with an impassive face, “your husband is suffering from slow poisoning. The poison spread all over his body and because the treatment was misguided, it escalated for quite some time now.”

Jimin frowns, looking at the doctor and back at Hoseok's emotionless face, “what...?”

Hoseok says nothing. It's as if he didn't even hear anything.

The doctor nods, “all his reports were forged. For months now he was getting treatment for brain tumour, when in fact, it was slow poisoning,” he holds out a few reports for Jimin to look at, “I don't know how all these different tests got the same, wrong result. That's for his clan to figure out, but, there's no tumour,” he looks at Hoseok and back at Jimin, “he was getting poisoned. The symptoms are mostly the same. Well, except for a few...”

“The point is,” the doctor blows out a breath, “if the burn wasn't added to the baggage, we would be able to revive him with proper treatment. Also...” he looks at Hoseok and back at Jimin, “he is not cooperating. At all.”

Hoseok snorts, tears brimming in his eyes as he looks away.

“What can I do?” Jimin murmurs, eyeing the reports.

“You can do nothing,” Hoseok murmurs before the doctor can speak, “you are here to free him. His heart is barely beating. He is not responding to anything. So the burn is not healing. Neither is the poison. Normally, he would die by now, but his alpha is resisting still. His alpha self thinks he has a mate to protect. To look after. So, even in pain, it's resisting. Trying to keep Yoongi alive. But...” Hoseok looks at Jimin.

“When our human side is hurt like he is,” Hoseok gestures, “our primal side takes over. That's exactly what is happening with him. His primal side isn't understanding that his human form is not able to bear this any longer. It's resisting and by doing that, hurting Yoongi more. When the mating ties are cut, the alpha will have nothing to fight for.”

“So...” Jimin balls his fists, “you want me to kill him.”

Hoseok grips the armrest, “no. We want you to think about ending his sufferings. Why prolong the pain for him?”

“Because he deserves to suffer?” Jimin doesn't flinch when Hoseok's eyes flash red for a second before the alpha composes himself.

“Jimin—”

Jimin lets out a delirious laugh, “you want me to let him go? Just ease his path so he just leaves? What about the injustice he did to me? He gets to die in peace and I will live with, not only, the hurt he caused but the burden of killing him?!”

Jimin shakes his head, “no. No, I will not get rid of the mating bond! No. If it's hurting him, good! I want him to suffer!” he seethes, glares at Hoseok, “I want him to struggle. He wants to ruin my life and leave on his own will? No way!”

Jimin gets out of the chair. The doctor and Hoseok share a panicked look before Hoseok is getting up too, reaching for Jimin.

Jimin turns on his feet to leave the room. He walks over to the ICU where Yoongi is. Jimin looks at the alpha through the glass.

“You will live as long as you can,” Jimin hisses, gripping the door knob, “and, feel every pain your alpha self puts you through. I will come to see you every day. I will make sure you are alive for as long as you can bear. I will make sure the bond stays and you fucking feel it! Every damn day for as long as you can bear! You feel the hurt you put me through! Fuck you!”

Hoseok's hand rests on Jimin's shoulder as he tries to calm the omega down. Jimin is hyperventilating. Hoseok holds him with both hands on his shoulders.

His eyes go to Yoongi, where Jimin is glaring too.

“Is that the only reason? You want him to suffer?” Hoseok whispers, “or... you just want him to live?”

“He should live,” Jimin's lips curl, “he has a son. A girlfriend—”

“He doesn't,” Hoseok breathes out, nods when Jimin looks over at him, “yeah… you, god, there's so much you need to know.”

Hoseok licks his lips, “we thought we will have time to tell you everything, but, apparently not. So...”

———

Hoseok hates the look on Jimin's face. He hates how Jimin looks at him and back at the closed door of the ICU. The two of them sit on the metal bench of the hospital while Hoseok fills Jimin in on everything.

“So...” Jimin looks at the ICU with empty eyes, “he put me and the babies through all that because, according to him, he was protecting us?”

Jimin looks back at Hoseok, “and, it made sense to him?”

Hoseok grimaces, “I know. It makes no sense to me. But, apparently,” his jaw hardens, “it made a lot of sense of him and Namjoon.”

Jimin slumps on the seat, “the nights I spent crying myself to sleep. The hours I spent wondering what she had that I lacked. The days I spent mourning us... looking at the babies and mourning the loss they will feel...” he lets out a delirious laugh, “it was because he knowingly put me through that emotional torture to save me physically?!”

Hoseok's heart aches, “I wish I understood how this damn plan made sense to them. I wish I came to know about this sooner... I wish—”

“No,” Jimin wipes his eyes, glaring at the ICU, “no, it's fine. If he pushes us away as soon as the first hurdle comes his way, then maybe, we are a weakness he doesn't need in his life. I will make sure he never has to worry about us ever again.”

Hoseok looks at the ICU, too, “I don't know if he will survive...”

“He will,” Jimin gets up from the chair, walking up to the door to peek inside, “he has to. I am not letting him go. He needs to live in misery. He needs to be fine so I can kill him every damn day for the rest of his life...” Jimin feels Hoseok come to stand behind him, “he needs to be fine. I am not letting him die so easily.”

—

“We think, the first thing we need to do is, give him reasons to live. Maybe, talk to him?” the doctor looks at Jimin, “give him reasons to stay. You know?”

Jimin knows. Hoseok watches the omega talk to the doctor for hours. Discuss everything in details before the doctors let him inside the cabin with proper precautions.

Jimin sits at a safe distance. He looks at the monitor and back at Yoongi's limp body on the bed.

Yoongi is connected to too many machines that Jimin can't name. Needles going into his veins, the mask over his face. Jimin's eyes trail over the alpha's body. The distorted skin of the alpha's neck and down his chest... it looks painful, even from a distance.

Jimin looks at that peaceful face and his inside is in a storm.

“Yoonji hates me,” Jimin whispers to the silent room, “I think, by now, she hates the fact that I am not taking her to you. She keeps searching you everywhere...” his heart squeezes in his chest, “god, it's a struggle to get her to sleep. She doesn't like when I read her bedtime stories, you know? She glares at me as if I am ruining the story,” he lets out a soft chuckle, “then that glare turns into something heartbreaking as she looks around the room. She misses you so much.”

“I think she misses you taking her out on a stroll or talking to her nonstop, god,” Jimin snorts, “what the fuck were you two always talking about when she can't even speak more than one or two words?”

Jimin's eyes are on his hands as he sighs, “Jiyoon... he is quieter. He looks eagerly at the door whenever it opens. Then he frowns when it's someone else and not you. He looks at me with so much curiosity and by the way, he hates the Park clan's room. He cries as soon as I try to set him down there. I think he really likes the crib you made for him...”

“He got into the habit of clinging onto the blanket you last wrapped him up in,” Jimin smiles at the memory, “it has your faint scent. He clings to it like a safety net. As if... that's you with him. They...” Jimin's eyes find the alpha, “miss you. A lot. I dread the day they will stop. The day they will start to forget you... I don't want that. Would you believe? I hate you, but I don't want them to grow up with no memories of their alpha father. So... can you stay? For them?”

“I...” Jimin bites down on his lower lip, “I don't want my kids to not know you at all. I don't want them to not have you. I will never forgive you for what you did to me, but... the kids don't deserve this. They don't deserve to grow up without you... not knowing you. I...” Jimin clutches onto his shirt...

“I am carrying another pup of ours,” Jimin's chest tightens, “I won't keep it. So...” his eyes blur, “yeah, I can't raise three kids on my own. I can't go through this all over again. So, I won't talk about that anymore. Just... for two of your pups... try to fight? Please?”

“If things were better,” Jimin feels hollow inside as he talks, “if we were as happy as we were a few months ago...” tears roll down his cheeks, “we would be welcoming this one together. But... now I have to let it go. You fucked it all up for us,” he tries not to break down, “you broke apart our family because you wanted to keep us safe,” Jimin stands up, “do we look alive to you? Tell me...”

The doctors look at him as he walks out.

“It will take time,” the head gives Jimin a small smile, “we are keeping a tab. I am sure it will work. You just have to keep coming back.”

“I will,” Jimin looks over at Yoongi, “I will keep coming back until he is awake. I promise.”

=== Absquatulate II ===

—

The next day, Jimin goes to meet one of Taehyung's friends in the hospital for the pregnancy. He hasn't gone through the tests before he can proceed with the abortion. After the test in Taehyung's house, he didn't even get a single minute to be with himself.

Jimin looks at the doctor and back at Taehyung, who nods at him in assurance.

The two of them sit side by side after the doctor is done with the samples. The doctor comes back after an hour or so, looking through the reports.

“Did you run these tests on him there? Can I see those reports?” he asks Taehyung.

Taehyung shakes his head, “we didn't get the time. We just did the pregnancy kit one.”

The doctor licks his lips, “well, he is not pregnant...”

Taehyung frowns, “I am sorry?”

The doctor holds out the papers, “he is not pregnant. See for yourself.”

Jimin looks at Taehyung who pulls the file towards himself, “then, those symptoms?”

Taehyung flips through the pages, nodding to himself, “maybe, those were from the newly formed bond. I think your pheromones were going through changes and the kit couldn't differentiate that...?” he looks at the doctor, who nods in agreement.

Taehyung blows out a breath, “well, now you don't have to go through the hassle. It's not there and you are free—” he stops when he looks at Jimin.

Jimin has his eyes fixed on the reports. His hand spread over his stomach. Those eyes start to gloss over, and Taehyung is flabbergasted.

“Why are you,” he wraps his arm around Jimin, “upset, Chim, you wanted it removed.”

Jimin has no answer to that. There is a searing pain spreading through his veins for a loss he didn't even face. A loss of someone he never had. Someone who was unwanted, someone Jimin didn't want to acknowledge and who wasn't even there. A mishap. It was all a mishap, and he tries to tell himself, even if it wasn't, he was going to abort it anyway.

“Are you sure?” Jimin whispers.

The doctor's face softens, he nods, “I am sure.”

Jimin blows out a wavering breath, “oh.”

Taehyung rubs his arm in an attempt to remind Jimin that he is not alone. The doctor stays quiet, letting him process everything.

Jimin places his hand over his flat stomach, closing his eyes.

He pulls himself away from Taehyung, “excuse me.”

Jimin walks out of there. He finds himself walking towards Yoongi's cabin. Somewhere only he is allowed entry. Somewhere he knows he can be alone.

Jimin ignores Minho's curious eyes as he passes the alpha to enter the cabin. The guards close the door after him.

Jimin sits on the stool, staring at the alpha's unresponsive body on the bed.

The silence feels calming. The alpha's pheromones strong in the air as Yoongi's primal side guards the body lying on the bed.

Jimin inhales deeply, closing his eyes when tears pool in them. He bursts out crying, hiding his face into his hands.

“Why do I feel like the baby just left?” Jimin sobs, “knowing they weren't welcome here. Oh, god...” he trembles where he is, “I know, it's not possible, but...”

“What am I even saying,” Jimin laughs through the tears, looking at Yoongi, “I think I am going crazy. God, I hate you for leaving me in this all alone! I hate you for trying to keep me safe physically when you just ruined so many things for me! I can't believe I am...” Jimin wipes his eyes, “wake up! Just wake up! You don't deserve to rest when I am suffering here! Wake up!”

“Either, wake up or leave fully!” Jimin screams, lurching forward to shove the machines.

The machines stumble, falling from the shelves and crashing on the ground. Jimin kicks the next row, feeling someone grab him from behind.

“Jimin!” Hoseok screams, “what are you doing?! Shit—”

“Just go!” Jimin screams at Yoongi, “you want to leave, right?! Just go!”

Hoseok drags Jimin out of there as the nurses rush to fix the machines. The doctors streaming in. Jimin thrashes in Hoseok's hold, who grabs him with everything he has in him.

Taehyung looks at the cabin and back at Jimin with fearful eyes.

“Jimin! Calm down!” Hoseok screams, “you need to calm down!”

“I want to remove the mating bond.”

Hoseok and Taehyung freeze. Their eyes on Jimin, who is limp in Hoseok's hold.

“Wh-what?” Hoseok's voice wavers.

Jimin nods, determined eyes fixed on Yoongi's door, “I want to remove the bond. Right now.”

Hoseok shakes his head, "Jimin... not now. Please, you need to calm down—”

“I am calm,” Jimin jerks himself free from Hoseok, “Minho,” he snaps at the alpha who bows, “get the necessities done. I will wait here.”

Minho runs to the reception.

Hoseok stumbles, grasping Jimin's hand in both of his, “Jimin, please. Please, wait. Take a day to think—”

“Chim,” Taehyung grasps Jimin's hand, “sleep on it. You can always get it done. Tomorrow. Give it a day. Please?”

“It's either I remove the bond or shoot him myself,” Jimin glares at them, “trust me, I will.”

Tears spill from Hoseok's eyes. He looks at the closed door of the cabin and back at Jimin's determined face.

“Sir, I filled up the form,” Minho comes running, “you can have it operated in an hour.”

Jimin nods, “which OT?”

Minho gestures, “I will take you.”

“Chim—” Taehyung stops when Jimin holds up a hand.

“I want to be alone,” Jimin looks at Minho, “let's go.”

Hoseok watches Jimin leave with Minho. Taehyung slumps on the bench, hiding his face in his hands. Hoseok plasters himself against the door of the cabin where the medical team is trying to stabilize Yoongi.

“His plan backfired, yes,” Hoseok speaks out loud, making Jimin pause, “but, his intentions were never wrong,” Hoseok presses his forehead against the cool glass of the door, staring at Yoongi, “I know he fucked up, he didn't stop to think what he must be putting you through, but he wanted you alive. Safe. The babies away from harm. Does he deserve such severe punishment for that?”

“Are you taking his side in this?” Minho whispers, “can't you see what sir is going through? What he did is unforgivable!”

Hoseok doesn't look away from Yoongi. He hears Jimin and Minho's footsteps fade. He hears the sob Taehyung lets out.

Hoseok closes his eyes, lips wobbling as he breaks into a sob himself.

He hears Jungkook coming with Seokjin. The two of them asking Taehyung what's wrong... Hoseok doesn't have it in him to move. To look away from the heartbeat monitor that still hasn't flatlined.

“We need to stop Jimin!” Seokjin sounds frantic, “we need to do something. Even if forcefully, we need to stop him!”

“No,” Hoseok murmurs, making everyone look at him, “let him be. That's a bond he shares with Yoongi. If he wants it nullified, he gets to have that. I just... if talking didn't help, let him be.”

“Fuck you and what you are saying!” Seokjin pulls out his gun, “he can't do it. He can't kill Yoongi like that! He can't—”

“Yoongi hyung won't want you to threaten him,” Jungkook takes a hold of Seokjin, shaking his head, “don't.”

Seokjin's face crumbles, “so, we just sit and watch Yoongi die?!”

No one replies to him.

—

Jimin gets ready for the operation. He expects someone to barge in. He expects to hear a collision outside the OT as he lies on the bed and the medical team prepare for the operation.

Nothing.

No one comes barging to stop him. The clock ticks away as the doctors close the door of the OT.

He looks at the woman who has the injection of anaesthesia in her hand. She looks at Jimin for a final confirmation.

Jimin blows out a breath. His eyes skip over to the closed door. With a tremor down his spine, Jimin looks at the woman.

He nods, closing his eyes, as they help him turn over.

—

The hour passes with Taehyung trying to calm Jungkook down, who is sobbing in his arms. Taehyung's own tears run down his face as he looks at the cabin's closed doors.

Seokjin sits motionlessly. His vacant eyes stuck on the doors, too.

Hoseok stands where he is, watching the medical team go frantic around Yoongi as time goes on...

Hoseok smiles to himself.

“Go. You need rest, too. I forgive you for whatever you put me through, whatever you lied about... go, Yoongi. Have the rest you deserve.”

Hoseok turns away from the door, “excuse me.”

He drags himself away from the cabin, trying to be as far away from all this as he can at that moment.

@/cerebraluni thank you so much for this beautiful gift 🥺🤍

••• Absquatulate II •••

“You will stay here for a day so we can note your physical reaction to the operation,” the doctor gives him a small smile, “it's successful, by the way. The bond is nullified. Now you rest. I will check up on you very soon.”

Jimin lies there, still groggy from the operation, as the doctors leave.

Minho comes to sit beside Jimin, “how are you feeling, sir?”

Jimin doesn't really hear him. He feels nothing. His hands are still limp. Unable to reach his abdomen. He wants to touch the place, feel the scar there.

It doesn't thrum anymore. There's no life connected to his anymore.

Jimin doesn't utter a word. He closes his eyes and tries to let the haze take over his senses. He doesn't want to be awake for now.

Not yet.

Whatever is the consequences, he can deal with it later. Minho understands. He sits by Jimin's side in quiet as Jimin slowly drifts off.

—

The doctors walk out of the ICU with grim expressions. They share a look with each other before asking Seokjin, Jungkook and Taehyung to follow them to one of their office.

“Alpha Min has fallen into a comatose state,” doctor Kim says regretfully, “we...” he clears his throat when Seokjin straightens up, “aren't sure he will make out of it.”

“How long are you predicting—” Taehyung clutches the edge of the table.

“A few hours,” doctor Kim sighs, “a few days, weeks, months...” he licks his lips, “years. We don't know. We would ask you all to decide what you want to do. If you...” he hesitates, sharing a look with his team, “want to keep him on life support or not.”

“We do!” Seokjin slams his hand down on the table-top, “do whatever you need to do! Keep him alive!”

The doctor blows out a breath, “we aren't promising anything. If the meds for the burn don't start to work in a day or two, his body will start to get infected. He will be in utter pain if that happens. Also, the poisoning. Nothing is working on him. We can't give him painkillers in any way. He is feeling the pain as raw as it can get. Are you sure you want to keep him alive?”

“Look, we don't want to influence your decision,” another doctor steps in, “we normally don't, but, here it's alpha Min. We know him. We know you all. We are personally suggesting you to pull the plug on him. This is just torture for him at this point. You know? He might die because of the pain itself, why prolong it?”

“Let us think,” Seokjin stands up, “we will discuss this.”

He looks at Taehyung and Jungkook. Both of them just staring into the void with fearful eyes. He pats their back, pulling them out of the haze.

The three of them walk out to find themselves in the waiting room. Seokjin dials Hoseok's number. When Hoseok doesn't pick up, he leaves a voice note for the alpha and sends another to Namjoon.

—

Jimin looks at the door of the cabin to see Hoseok there. He nods, telling Minho to let the alpha in.

Hoseok comes to stand at the foot of the bed, “I had a request if you would consider.”

Jimin says nothing. Hoseok blows out a breath, his eyes stuck on Jimin's feet as he refuses to meet those eyes.

“I want Yoongi to meet the babies one last time,” Hoseok grips the railing of the bed, “if you would let me get them?”

Jimin's heart dips, “you want those barely one-year-old babies to see their appa like that?”

Hoseok shakes his head, “I will make sure they are asleep. Just...” his tearful eyes find Jimin, “one last time. One last try. Please.”

Hoseok tries not to break, “this is my last try. I... why can't you understand, Jimin, my best friend is dying!”

Jimin's eyes snap closed, tears burning in them, “fuck, do whatever. You have my permission! Go away!”

Hoseok bows his head, “thank you. Thank you so much.”

“Sir, I don't think you should let him,” Minho steps in, “the patient is suffering from infections and I don't think the babies being anywhere near him will do them any good.”

Hoseok's eyes snap to Minho, “we talked to the doctors. We will take precaution. It's not like I will let them touch Yoongi or anything!”

Minho's jaw tightens, “for alpha Min, you can do anything. How can we trust you?”

Hoseok steps up to Minho, “you don't have to trust me,” he shrugs, “Jimin gave permission. You are forgetting, you are not the boss here!”

Minho looks at Jimin, “you are exposing the pups to so much risk, sir. Are you sure?”

Jimin nods, “I am sure,” he looks at Hoseok, “he would know what he is doing.”

“No, sir, but—” Minho stops when Jimin holds up a hand.

“I said, I am sure,” Jimin's expression hardens, “and, the conversation ends there, Minho. Write him down a permission chit and let him go.”

Hoseok bows to Jimin, “thank you.”

“You don't have to bow to me,” Jimin flicks his hand.

“No, I do,” Hoseok straightens with a small smile, “now you are just the leader of the Park clan and Yoongi's ex mate to me. I don't have any right to be informal with you,” he takes a step back before turning on his heels and leaving.

Jimin feels cold. His eyes trail after Hoseok as long as he can see the alpha.

Hoseok never gave up on them. Even when the two of them did. So many times.

This feels like a final goodbye. Hoseok closing the door on them has a stronger impact that removing the mating bond did.

Jimin's lips wobble as he turns his eyes away from the door.

This is for the best. He chose himself, and he won't be guilty of that.

—

Hoseok looks at Yoongi's limp body. His arms holding the babies to his chest.

“Look, who came to meet you,” Hoseok tries to sound as normal as he can, “they missed you, you know? Yoonji apparently miss your bedtime stories, while Jiyoon misses how you used to wrap him up against your chest. I think, if they were awake, they would snap at you to just wake up. Eh?”

Yoongi doesn't react. Hoseok's mask of happiness falters as he stares at the alpha's lifeless body.

“Stay for them,” Hoseok's eyes pool with tears, “stay, so they know you. What do you want? Huh? Jimin will move on, find someone else and in the future they will, probably, mate. You want your kids to know that person as their appa?! You want them to look at your damn picture and know you through Jimin?! You didn't really leave a good impression there! You idiot! They will grow up hating you!”

“If Jimin chooses, he can very well never let us meet the babies,” Hoseok sniffles, “take them far, far away from here. He might never tell them about you! You want them to not know you?! At all?! Is that what you fought so hard for? To keep them safe, but at what cost? Yourself?! Fucking wake up, Yoongi! Do it for yourself and your babies. Please!”

Hoseok hugs the babies closer, “I know you wanted that. I know you wanted exactly that but I don't, and you have to listen to me! I am...” he lets out a dry sob, “I am so fucking tired, Yoongi! I can't do this anymore. The others left it on me to decide. If I want to keep you alive or let you go. Can you imagine?! Those cowards want me to bear that baggage for the rest of my life!”

“You have two options, Yoongi,” Hoseok glares through the tears in his eyes, “one, you wake up. Two, I shoot you and myself,” his jaw hardens, “if you think I won't follow you to the pit of hell, you are wrong, Min Yoongi! I will be right behind you. So, it's up to you now. Choose for me!”

Yoonji stirs in Hoseok's hold, blinking back sleep. She frowns at Hoseok for a second before her eyes settle, and she is smiling at Hoseok gleefully. Her tiny legs start to kick with happiness as she slaps her hands on Hoseok's face to get his attention.

Hoseok looks at her and bursts out crying, hugging her to himself.

Yoongi's scent is dim in the room but Yoonji picks up on it. Her eyes widen as that button nose twitches. Her gummy smile stretches wide to wider.

“Apa...?” she squeals, squirming in Hoseok's hold, trying to look around, “apa?!”

Jiyoon stirs in the stroller, making Hoseok pat his chest as he tries to calm Yoonji down.

Hosoek tries to shush Yoonji as she thrashes. She pushes at Hoseok's chest, trying to turn around to see if her appa is there or not.

“Apa?!” she whimpers, tears pooling in those feline-like eyes, “ap...” she hiccups, squirming and kicking.

“Calm down, princess,” Hoseok tries to make her look at him, “your appa is fine. He is right here. He is fine.”

Yoonji whimpers, her voice cracking, “apa...”

She goes from whimpering to sobbing when Hoseok doesn't let her go. When Yoongi doesn't come to pick her up or take her away from Hoseok's arms.

Hoseok cries too, “princess, I am so sorry. I shouldn't have brought you here... shit, I am so sorry...”

Hoseok shifts, pulling the stroller to himself, when he notices it.

The alpha's scent slowly getting stronger around them. The almost mute scent starting to fill up the room.

Hoseok's eyes snap to the alpha's bed and there's no visible change, but the scent keeps thickening in the room the more Yoonji cries.

Hoseok gapes at the alpha, his heart in his mouth. His ears ring as he hugs Yoonji to himself.

Yoonji sobs harder, calling Yoongi desperately as the scent thickens around them.

“Apa...” Yoonji chokes on her tears and Hoseok is alarmed, hurrying to sooth her, trying to calm her down.

Jungkook is right outside, Hoseok hurries to the door to give Yoonji to him. Along with the stroller where Jiyoon is.

“What—” Jungkook looks at Yoonji in alarm, “what's wrong?!”

“Calm her down and call the doctors!” Hoseok shouts at Taehyung, “right now!”

As soon as he closes the door after him, Yoonji's voice cut off because of it, the alpha's pheromones burst in the room. Hoseok doubles over in submission, trying to breathe as he falls on his knees.

“Yoongi, she is fine!” Hoseok chokes, the domineering pheromones out of control in the room, “she is fine, Yoongi. She is just outside. Oh, god, shit!”

The monitor starts to beep frantically, making Hosoek look at it. He looks at Yoongi and back at the machine.

“Yoongi, she is fine!” Hoseok shouts, the door opening behind him.

The doctors walk in wearing masks, they pull Hoseok up, signalling him to wait outside.

Hoseok almost crawls out, unable to stand up still. He sits on the floor outside, panting, as the door of the cabin closes.

Seokjin kneels by him with tearful eyes, a tentative smile on his lips, “hobi...?”

Hoseok's eyes pool with tears, he nods, “the pups... I think it worked...”

Seokjin throws himself on Hoseok, wrapping him up in a hug. Hoseok collapses into the hug, bursting out in tears.

Jungkook kisses Yoonji all over her face, walking up and down the corridor as he tries to distract her. She is calming down, after Yoongi and Jimin, she has a soft spot for Jungkook.

—

Jimin doubles over in pain. It feels like being electrocuted. The pain passes through his veins, making him choke on thin air.

“Oh, god!” Jimin cries out, grasping the bedsheet, “oh...” he whimpers as another wave of pain rolls through him.

Minho comes running, trying to steady him as he presses the button to call the nurses.

“What's going on?!” Jimin thrashes on the bed, “what's... oh, god!”

The doctors come running. The nurses hold him down as one of them orders Minho to leave the cabin.

The doctor pulls up the hospital gown to stare at the bandage of the mating mark. It's soaked in fresh blood.

He looks at the others in the room, “the bond...”

He looks at Jimin's fearful eyes, “you weren't ready for this,” he clicks his tongue, “you and your alpha... you both. Are you sure he nullified the bond on his side?”

Jimin gives a frantic nod, wincing, “yes! Yes, he said, he did!”

One nurse hesitates, “how can a mutual bond be severed one-sided? That's not possible. I don't think his alpha was saying the truth...?”

“It can be when the omega or the alpha emotionally lets go of the other,” the doctor breathes out a long sigh, looking at Jimin, “you should have waited for your omega to come in terms with whatever you wanted, sir.”

Jimin glares at the doctor, “do something! Operate again!”

“That's not possible, sir,” the nurse puts a calming hand on Jimin's shoulder, “you are weak as you are. Your alpha is clearly going through something where he is clinging onto the mating bond. His alpha won't let go, and your omega didn't, either. You need to stop forcing it. Please, calm down.”

“What do you mean...?” Jimin whispers.

“What she means is,” the doctor starts to work on the wound, “you didn't want the bond removed. Your omega clung to it. So did your alpha. We would face resistance while operating, but your alpha was weak. It seems like, his strength is coming back...” he looks at Jimin, “and, that force is reaching you through the bond. For now, we can't operate again. You have to wait it out.”

Jimin's heart lurches to his mouth, “what do you mean...?”

He doubles over as the bond tugs at him. His nerves coiling up with the pain. Jimin rolls on his side, trying to breathe.

“The alpha wants to make sure you are fine,” the nurse urges him, “try to ease the process. Put your hand on the bond. Try to calm it down. Will it to calm down. Please.”

“I don't want to ease him into anything!” Jimin sneers, tears clinging onto his eyelashes as he glares at no one in particular, “fuck him!”

“It's for yourself,” the doctor winces, “otherwise, it will hurt you more. The alpha needs an assurance. Just place your hand over the bond. Please.”