A/N: Oh good lord that gif did smth to me

We're close to 400 followers! Thank you guys so much for that :) Let's try to get 400 before my birthday (July 9th)! If we do, I will release "Plastic World" in July. It's a PJM fanfic that's pretty much an excuse to write Jimin like a mean girl. It's a whacky, unique, and fun fanfic. I'll show you the cover below!

I hope you like it, and let's aim for 400 followers by July 9th. I hope you enjoy the chapter too, it's a packed one. If you have any thoughts about the cover, lmk! I would suggest looking at it in dark mode since the border is all white lol.

P.S. Let me know if you want to see more covers in the future. I have plenty of upcoming stories and if you want to see them, I'll post them.

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚𝓜𝔂 𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓽 𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓔𝓪𝓻˚｡➶˚┊

"Are you ready?"

Jimin glanced at her, and she wondered if she had come off too strong. It had been a week; if Jimin was going to join them on their quest to the City, he had to speak a full sentence. He hadn't done so yet, and he didn't say why. On the bright side, he had gotten better with short words. He practiced by saying "Jihyun" a few times. Unfortunately, it was far from over. Throughout it all, he had multiple breakdowns and ended up muttering apologies. Apparently he was apologizing for speaking. Her heart ached at the thought that he couldn't even speak without getting flashbacks to what they did to him.

"If you don't want to speak, you don't have to," she said, softer than her previous words. "Just know that we can't bring you if you aren't ready. It's okay if you aren't, but I have to be honest with you and tell you that. Is that okay?"

He nodded, and Jungkook, who was leaning against the door to the infirmary, gave Jimin a smile. "Why don't you say something to insult me? You always got a kick out of that, bud."

"Fuck you," Jimin said with a voice crack.

Jungkook chuckled. "That doesn't count. It has to be at least five words."

Jimin huffed, glancing at Y/n for support. She held his hand as he sat up in his bed. He had been training with Jungkook, but that was mostly futile. Jimin already knew how to fight and ended up kicking Jungkook's ass. It was more like Jimin was training Jungkook.

"I..."

Jimin broke off, and Y/n shushed him. "Take your time. Do one word at a time if you have to. No one's gonna hurt you, you're safe here. You're safe with us," she said.

Jimin's eyes sparked, and he turned toward Jungkook while taking a deep breath. "I... want..." He cleared his throat. "To go to the City."

"All together?" Jungkook asked.

Jimin had tears in his eyes, but he agreed. "I-I want to go to the City."

Y/n almost cheered, pulling Jimin in for a hug and kissing the side of his head. Jimin giggled. When she pulled back, she noticed his tears had faded away. He had a bright smile that crinkled his eyes and showed his crooked tooth.

"You're going to the City. Are you ready for the others to see you?" she asked. Jimin didn't answer verbally, not that she expected him to. She motioned to Jungkook. "Go ahead, tell them the news. We've kept them in the dark too long. Shawman's gonna get killed by Kastor for this."

"Part of me thinks Shawman wants to die. He leads a rebellion against the Emperor," Jungkook said with an exasperated sigh. Then, he left, which meant her and Jimin were alone in the infirmary.

She stroked his hair and returned his smile. "I'm so proud of you. You know you're safe with us, right?"

He nodded and kissed the back of her hand. They stayed quiet for another minute, Y/n mindlessly brushing her hand through his hair. It was all the small things he did. The way he smiled at her in the mornings, the way he held her hand tighter than he needed to, the way he gave her forehead kisses. The small things made her love with him, and ever since he came back, the small things returned. They reminded her of why she fell for him.

Jimin brought her closer and pressed his forehead against hers. She thought he was going to kiss her, but instead, he traced his thumb over her lower lip and gazed into her eyes.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice not cracking once.

She froze at that, a giddiness washing over her she hadn't thought was possible. The words were packed with warmth and comfort, which had her heart expanding and her hands grabbing at him.

"You didn't have to say that, I know you aren't talking," she said, but he shook her off as he parted his lips.

"I love you," he repeated, sounding stronger with each word.

She gave up on trying to convince him to save his strength. Park Jimin was stubborn; there was no convincing him to do anything other than what he wanted, even if it was bad for him. Talking too much would strain him and could trigger him, but the selfish side of her found herself loving the words that spewed from his lips.

"I love you too," she whispered, placing her hand on his cheek.

They went back to relaxing together. He got out of bed and picked up what little he had left. His bow and sword were gone thanks to his capture, but Y/n took it upon herself to get him another bow and carve the wave back on the handle. She didn't carve Jihyun's initials into it. That was something Jimin needed to do himself.

Shawman left Jimin's few war belongings in the infirmary, in the corner in case Jimin ever wanted them. There was armor and a knife along with a new sword, a new quiver, and the bow Y/n got him.

He picked up the quiver, rubbing his fingers over the arrows and smiling. He was about to put it on when Y/n heard a shout from outside. Not a shout of distress, but rather one of warning. And, seconds later, Kastor burst down the door.

Jimin turned, and the two made eye contact. Kastor staggered back and stared at the man before him. Kastor kept his face frozen, free of any emotion that would reveal his thoughts.

Then, he broke down crying.

Kastor ran to Jimin and hugged him, Jimin grunting and chuckling before hugging back. Jimin didn't speak, but he didn't have to. The words spilled out as the embrace continued. Kastor picked Jimin up for a beat, then set him down. The process repeated itself until Kastor pulled away to plop his hands on Jimin's cheeks.

"You're real? You're really here?" Kastor asked in a whisper. Jimin nodded and gave Kas a toothy grin that made him chuckle. Kastor embraced him again, rocking Jimin back and forth without saying a word.

Jin and Tae came in and stared at the sight. Jungkook stayed behind them with a soft but sad smile on his face. Y/n made a mental note to ask about it later.

"Leave some for the rest of us, grandpa," Jin said.

Kastor grunted and parted from Jimin. He stiffened, keeping his eyes on the younger man. Then, he sighed and placed his hands on Jimin's shoulders, giving them a squeeze.

"I missed you, kid."

"So did we. Move," Jin said, strutting over and hugging Jimin from the side since Kastor occupied the front. Kastor backed off and let Tae and Jin hug Jimin. Jimin hugged the pair back, but Kastor kept watching from a distance. Y/n approached him and dropped her head.

"I'm sorry we didn't tell you earlier-"

"Don't," Kastor interrupted, his tone softer than she had ever recalled it being. "He's alive, I just hugged him. I don't need your apologies. You gave me the best gift I could ask for."

Y/n grinned and nudged him before moving away. She went to Jungkook and stopped by his side. The two gazed at the reunion, and it seemed as though Jimin found peace. Perhaps that was a sign more speaking was to come. Y/n didn't want to get her hopes up, but she missed her talkative Jimin. She never thought she'd see the day, but she'd do anything to hear another sex joke from him.

"The City is waiting for us," Jungkook said, his voice drained of life. "If anything happens there that triggers him, we might have to have someone escort him back to the ship. This mission is too important. Nothing can go wrong."

"I get it, but I'm confident. Jimin can handle it."

"With all due respect, ma'am, you don't know that."

Y/n sighed. "Everyone's always calls me that. I don't know how I feel about it."

"You're our leader," Jungkook said, but she brushed him off.

"By habit, not by choice. Every time I've tried to lead, you ended up leading instead. I wish I had your strength."

Jungkook had the same sad smile on his face. He took her hand with his five-fingered one, holding her tightly until she thought he'd cut off circulation. He came closer and dropped his tone to a whisper that sounded like a lullaby.

"Take as much as you need."

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚˚｡➶˚┊

The City smelled of smoke.

People, some naked while others wore torn clothes, were smoking a drug Y/n didn't know the name of. The outer districts never had the luxury of ruining their lives with those substances. She didn't know if she should be jealous or not.

The commoners hung out near the alleyways and watched as Y/n and her group entered the City. They were ready to protest and gather enough forces to overtake the castle. It was no secret that was their next plan. The Emperor knew that, as did everyone else. The only other possible place was the Emperor's arsenal, but with Jimin not talking, planning a large assault like that would take too long. They were done waiting.

The giant buildings covered them in shadows. The marketplaces had life flowing in and out of them, but the life didn't appear fit and healthy. They had chapped lips and stained teeth. Some of them didn't have any teeth to begin with. Then there were the homeless who crowded the sidewalks while begging for currency.

Jimin walked next to her, watching it all. Y/n stayed by his side and kept peeking up at her partner, noticing how he stared at everything with amazement mixed with horror. Or maybe he was suffering from a second-hand high.

Y/n and Jimin were in the middle of the large group of protestors. They had swords and bows, but they were sheathed as to not cause alarm. They made signs and hoisted them above their heads. Every sign had words protesting the Emperor and his handling of New Theon. The City could become prosperous under different leadership. Leadership like Y/n, according to the rebellion. She wished she could say they were right.

Jin and Taehyung were leading the charge. Jin was the face of the rebellion while Taehyung was his escort. It filled her with pride to see Jin finally on a mission. He had been pleading for one since Hoseok died. That thought still hurt, but she pushed through it. For Hobi, she would succeed. Despite her lack of faith in herself, she couldn't give up. Not until Hobi was avenged.

"Stand against the Emperor!" Jin shouted, and the rebellion called out cheers of agreement, thrusting their signs higher and even tossing some of them toward the civilians cowered on the sidewalks.

They marched their way down the streets of the City while making as much noise as possible. The air pollution made Y/n sick, but she kept a steady grasp on Jimin's hand to keep herself steady. It didn't help that it was dark thanks to the pollution combined with the tall structures on either side of her. The City needed help. If not for the air quality, then for the gravel they were stepping on that was breaking their shoes.

"Y/n!" Jin said. She picked her head up and met his eyes through the crowd. "Up here, I want to make a speech!"

She agreed. She squeezed Jimin's hand to let him know she was departing, and he accepted it without complaint. With all her strength, she made her way to the front with Jin and Taehyung. Shawman was there as well, protecting them in case anything happened. She had no idea where Jungkook went.

"There's an opening right here, in front of the hotel. We should set up a place for me to speak to them," Jin said.

"It's risky, but if that's what you want."

Jin set his jaw with tears in his eyes. "I've spent my entire life running and hiding from the Emperor. I'm done. Not anymore. Today, I fight with my people. Today, I find out who Kim Seokjin really is."

Taehyung grinned and nudged his friend's shoulder, helping him go to the opening in front of the hotel. There were marketplaces not far away, many of the shopkeepers leaving their posts to instead see why the rebellion was halting.

Y/n stood behind Jin with Taehyung and Shawman next to her. Jimin came forward and went to Y/n's other side, holding her hand as soon as he got close enough.

Y/n found Jungkook. He was in the front of the massive horde of people now filled equally with those from the City and the rebels. Jin stood before them with his wide shoulders tense and his head raised.

"New Theon is our beautiful home," Jin said in a voice that boomed through the streets. "But every day we are under the Emperor's rule, we are destroying it. Look around. The City is polluted, the markets are full of molding foods, the sidewalks are cracked, the road is gravel that breaks your shoes. Look around at what has been created under faulty leadership, if you can even call it that. The Emperor only cares about himself. He keeps his resources in his little bubble while the rest of us starve, fall to drugs, don't have clothes, and everything else he's put us through.

"I'm tired of sleeping in the same room I shit in. I'm tired of waking up every day wondering if it'll be my last. I'm tired of waiting for the Emperor to decide he wants to burn the outer districts to the ground. One day, he'll decide the same of the City if it doesn't conform to his views. He openly admits he is a monster. There is no shame, no remorse. Why do we follow someone who doesn't care? He'll let us rot if it means saving himself. That is no leader. A leader perseveres despite their pain. A leader cares. A leader is self-conscious and wants to do right by those they care about, even at the cost of themselves and their minds."

Her eyes darted to Jungkook, who was listening to the speech while his hand rested on the top of his sword. Then, her eyes went to her hands, which were in front of her. She fiddled with them, wondering how they had gotten so sweaty without her noticing.

"The outer districts of New Theon are united!" Jin shouted, resulting in a series of cheers from the rebels. A few of the City folk joined in. "We destroyed the Emperor's Tower and rescued a prisoner. We sunk the Emperor's Flagship. We robbed him and deprived him of his precious currency. It is time for us to rise up and take the castle. After we take the castle, the war is won. New Theon will be free. We will be free. Who's with me?!"

A chorus of cheers erupted from the rebels, and Y/n was amazed to see many of the ones from the City applauding Jin's speech. Jin had a giant smile on his face that crinkled his eyes. He had a fire in his gaze that inspired Y/n. It moved her heart. It seemed as though Jin realized who he was, and what he was supposed to become.

"People of the City," Jin continued, keeping his giddiness and letting it slip into his bright tone. "We are going to take over New Theon once and for all. Together, we're going to build a better world for our children. Together, we are strong. We can do-"

'Fwhee!'

Blood splattered on the concrete. It overflowed until it reached Y/n's boots. She stepped in it as her eyes bulged and her tongue went numb. Jimin stood in front of her as the sound left her ears. A ringing sensation replaced any noises that could possibly be in the area. Taehyung was sobbing and opened his mouth as if screaming. Jungkook drew his sword and helped the crowd disperse. Shawman led the charge against the foes that appeared.

In the center of it all was a hooded figure with a bow in his hands. The man stepped forward and loaded another arrow, the string of the weapon pulling back and aiming at Y/n this time. Through the shadow of the cloak, she saw the unmistakable dragon eyes of Kim Namjoon.

"Y/n!" Jungkook shouted, which snapped her back to focus.

She dove to the ground just as Namjoon launched another arrow. She panted and whipped her head up in time to see Jungkook charging the man. Namjoon made quick work of Jungkook, sending him flying to the ground without so much as batting an eye.

The hood fell off and revealed Namjoon's scarred and burned face. Half of his hair was burnt off and the left side of his face had a large scar on it. He approached and loaded his weapon, stepping over the dying body of Kim Seokjin, who had an arrow jutting out of his chest due to Namjoon's wrath.

"You survived," Y/n whispered as her throat went dry.

"Are you forgetting who I was trained by?" Namjoon asked.

Y/n glanced up at Jimin, who seemed just as perplexed as her. She got to her feet and stood by Jimin's side. Taehyung charged at Namjoon, but that ended about as well as Y/n expected. The arrow landed in Taehyung's thigh, which caused him to fall and shout out of anger and pain.

"You're gonna fucking die!" Taehyung screamed, the veins on his neck popping as he did his best to crawl toward Namjoon.

Namjoon stepped on Taehyung's head and forced him to stay on the ground. Without so much as a pause to breathe, Namjoon aimed his bow and put another arrow in. He pointed it at Jimin instead of Y/n.

"I trusted you," Namjoon said in a broken whisper. "I trusted you to protect my men, but I saw the footage. I saw the footage of you charging in and massacring my brothers. My family! And all for what? To help a bunch of..." He paused to spit on the top of Tae's head. "Criminals who know nothing of what it means to lead."

Taehyung whimpered from his spot and tried to break free, but it was no use. Y/n had her sword in front of her. She didn't know what to do. Namjoon had the long-ranged weapon. Beyond that, Namjoon was aiming at Jimin.

She wanted to ask Jimin for help, but it was too late. Jimin's sword clattered to the ground as he trembled, and that was when Y/n realized it had been a terrible idea to bring him to the City.

Jimin staggered back and ended up slumping to the sidewalk, tucking his knees against his chest and whining like Tae. He had a breakdown in front of them, grabbing at his hair and whispering about how he wanted it to stop.

"The Emperor said to keep you alive," Namjoon said, ignoring Jimin's episode. "He told me to keep my personal interests outside of this war. But this? I'm gonna enjoy it."

Shawman slammed into the side of Namjoon, and the bow got hit in the process. The arrow flew and grazed Jimin's cheek, but it didn't leave any fatal injuries. Jimin cried and held his bleeding cheek just as Namjoon hit the concrete with Shawman. Taehyung backed up and got to his feet, grabbing the nearest sword.

The Emperor's men were there. They were battling the rebellion and winning. Y/n didn't know if she should join the fight or flee. Seeing as Namjoon had already gotten the upper hand on Shawman, she figured running was the best bet.

"Go!" Shawman shouted, hopping to his feet and slicing Namjoon's thigh. It wasn't deep enough to immobilize him, but it caused him to stagger and pause. "We need to leave! We have to save our fight for the castle!"

Y/n didn't disagree, but Taehyung was clinging to Jin's lifeless body like he could bring him back. Jungkook came up and tried to get Taehyung to leave, but the man refused. He fought and fought against everyone who tried to help him while Shawman barely held Namjoon at bay.

Y/n went to her lover, who was rocking back and forth and holding his head. She grabbed his hand, but he shouted and ripped himself out of her grasp.

"Don't touch me! Don't hurt me!" he said, the words clearer than anything he had said before.

"Jimin, we have to go!"

"I can't!"

"We have to!"

She grabbed him despite how much it pained her to do so. Despite the guilt residing in the pits of her stomach, she got him to his feet and forced him to leave. Jungkook ended up carrying Taehyung and Shawman called for help from fellow rebels. A group of them went to the leader's aid, but Y/n knew as soon as they approached that only Shawman would survive. Shawman fled and led the remaining rebels away.

Plenty of rebels stayed behind to buy time for the leaders to escape. They ran from the City, and much to her surprise, she saw the City's commoners fighting back against the Emperor's men. Although a majority of them sprinted away from the commotion, plenty of them were joining in and aiding the rebellion. Jin's speech worked. But at what cost?

"We need to get to the ship!" Y/n shouted, and Jungkook agreed.

Taehyung sobbed and wailed the entire way there. They cut through the forest and lost the few Emperor's men chasing them. Shawman limped and panted, as did the rest.

Jimin had calmed down by the time they found a place to take a break, but it didn't change how awful Y/n felt for grabbing him. She knew he would have died if she didn't, yet the guilt only worsened when Jimin sat and didn't bother glancing at her.

She sat by his side, and he flinched. "I'm sorry," she said. She didn't know what she was apologizing for. For the loss of Jin, seeing Namjoon again, or grabbing him.

"Namjoon is too powerful. It's like fighting two Commander Parks," Shawman said as he held his head. "I would've died if it weren't for the other rebels. How the hell are we supposed to stop him?"

Y/n knew stopping Namjoon was an impossible task. Even if they could take out the Emperor, Namjoon was a different story. And, the odds were, they'd station Namjoon in the castle instead of the City. The rebellion made their intentions clear: they were coming for the castle. Everyone already knew that, but they had confirmed it through Jin. The terror seeped through her veins, causing her vision to blur with tears as she parted her parched lips.

"I don't know."

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚𝓜𝔂 𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓽 𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓔𝓪𝓻˚｡➶˚┊

A/N: A loooot happened all at once there. I hope you guys are doing okay after that lmao.