"Dude did you fucking see that? I was so fucking awesome out there-"

"You only did good because I was the one that guided you."

"Shut up and let me live!"

Now back to the apartment, Taehyung and Jeongguk were in a little bubble of joy after today's mission. The game ended up coming out as a complete success, but of course not only because of their teamwork in gambling and keeping their eyes on the prize, but because of Jimin's guidance against their earpiece, telling them on what to do and what to avoid.

For a moment there, they felt like they were doing a real mission on survival. Taehyung has never felt his blood pump with so much adrenaline until that moment, and Jeongguk felt so fucking exhilarated to reaching a prize before their eyes. Even Jimin was at the edge of his seat, despite Joshua being by his side as a guide on the best routes for them to take and how to overcome some obstacles.

Now back here in the apartment, they couldn't stop rambling off about it. Through the whole way here that's all they talked about, all the way until they reached the couch - where Taehyung and Jeongguk gasped about holding their fake guns up at the security guards while Jimin left to build up his hookah pipe on the coffee table beside him.

"Nah but you saw how the guy trembled when I held up that gun-"

"Dude he was shitting himself! He probably forgot for a moment that this was all just a game."

"Right! That was so fucking fun!" Taehyung beams, now looking at Jimin lighting up the coals on the tin foil, "What about you tiny? Did you have fun?"

Deep down inside, Jimin will admit that he actually did enjoy this while it lasted. They worked really well together and listened to one another. For a moment they all forgot about the troubles they caused to each other and it all just felt.... Normal.

As though they've been knowing each other for years and just reconnected again.

It felt genuinely nice.

Unable to hide back his twitching smile, Jimin slowly nods, "Got to admit, that was badass."

"Hell yeah it was!" Jeongguk exclaims, for the first time in a while being this expressive, "We should definitely do that again. Why did we not do that before?"

"Because we can be fucking boring sometimes," Taehyung snickers, taking the tube that Jimin offered out to him and inhaling a hit, exhaling heavily through the nose, "By the way..... Look.... Not trying to drown the mood or anything but.... Tonight was fun and all, but I really want us to be okay and on the same page."

The mood mellowed down a bit to Taehyung's sudden confession, handing the tube to Jeongguk, who took it without thinking twice, all eyes to Taehyung - who a bit hesitant rubs a hand through his hair, "I know we can get off on the wrong foot sometimes but I feel like when we really try, we do see from eye to eye. Just to get it out of the way, I want to apologize for my behavior lately. I was really sinking in deep to this Karma persona again and it got to my head. So... I'm sorry if I was a bit of an asshole."

Seeing Taehyung taking the initiative about this felt a bit.... Moving. It's not really easy to talk about these things, but to have him take the first step and really talk about it felt like he really wanted to bring everything to the table and talk about it.

And it's time that they do.

Reluctantly Jeongguk and Jimin made eye contact with each other, clearly feeling the tension rising in the air between them, but definitely much more eased than how it was before.

So Jeongguk starts off first, putting the tube down and faces Jimin, "I... I'm sorry Jimin. I took a really daring step forward with you - No.... I was going to have sex with you without asking you if you were okay with it. I was too deep in the moment to think how you might be feeling about it, and that triggered you. I triggered you and made you feel vulnerable. I feel like shit honestly, thinking about that and notice how much it affected us. So I take accountability for what I did. I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry."

Jimin didn't say anything back to him instantly. He let it process in his head his words, trying not to get too emotional about it but of course that was not an easy task.

So to be able to get through it, he grabbed the pipe and took a deep intake of the hookah, letting his exhale release the anxiety and built up stress he was starting to feel.

Now more relaxed, Jimin looks at Jeongguk, frowning, "It wasn't your fault. I.... I went through a lot okay. Fucked up past relationship, messed up for what I did to Taemin - I'm just a ball of fuck up okay. What happened has nothing to do with you. I was just having a hard time coping, or letting myself cope," Jimin subtly explained, taking another hit of the pipe before finally nodding to himself, "I.... I'm sorry too. I made you feel like shit for a while about my unstable emotions and refused to talk to you about it. I pushed you away from me and made it difficult for you to open up to any of us. We made you feel alone, even after everything that happened with your kidnapping and - shit.... I'm sorry."

And that right there.

At this moment.

Felt like the three of them finally let out a breath that they were holding in out.

Letting that weight completely pile off each other's shoulders.

Finally.

Shit, that was definitely needed.

Taehyung smiles widely, getting to his feet, "Well, I'm glad we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and while you two bond over it, I have a fight to go to."

Immediately Jimin's face falls, but before he could say anything, Taehyung snickers at him, "Before you say anything, it's my last fight. Already spoke to Joshua about it, Mother knows. Trust me, all these fights have been leading up to this one."

Jimin still didn't seem convinced the edge still clear in his eyes, but Jeongguk was a bit more on the optimistic side, "Just don't get shit faced when you come back."

Well, seems like he spoke what was running through Jimin's mind.

Taehyung subtly grins to this, followed by a wink, "Karma will be back with good news, promise."

______________________
Business

Woosung:
Minho did you arrive?

Minho:
Yeah

Minho:
A lot of people here

Minho:
I'm well hidden, got Joshua to let me through

Taemin:
I told him you were going either way

Taemin:
Just try to convince Taehyung to ease it down and come back

Taemin:
I don't feel good with the thought of you being in Phoenix territory

Taemin:
Even if Joshua is there

Minho:
I'll be fine

Minho:
You guys on the other hand focus on the task at hand

Minho:
Better hear some good news

Woosung:
That without a doubt

______________________
Demons

Hongjoong:
Oh boss!🤩🤩🤩🤩

Hongjoong:
Good news!!🥰

Chungha:
I was going to tell him😒

Hongjoong:
No one fucking asked😒

Ryujin:
Watch your fucking mouth and let her say it😒

Hongjoong:
No

Kai:
You guys are so fucking petty😂

Taemin:
Spill already!

Hongjoong:
Found our puppeteer!🥳🥳

Chungha:
Found the asshole.

Chungha:
Dude!

Hongjoong:
I told you I was going to say it!

Taemin:
Stop omg😤

Taemin:
Who is it?

Kai:
Team meeting

Kai:
I don't trust our phones

Taemin:
Meet at our regular spot in thirty minutes

Hongjoong:
Yay team meeting!🥰

Chungha:
Here we go

_________________________
Suicide Squad

Felix:
Good news

Felix:
Valencia woke up

Felix:
Bad news

Felix:
She wants to see Taehyung

Yeonjun:
YAY SHE'S AWAKE!😍😍😍

Yeonjun:
Oh wait...

Woosung:
Shit...

Woosung:
Tell her that he's away at the moment

Woosung:
How's her vitals?

Felix:
Lucas said she's fine, but needs a bit of time to -

Felix:
Wait.

Woosung:
What?

Ten:
???

Ten:
Felix?

Felix:
GUYS

Felix:
HEADQUARTERS NOW!

_________________________

A/N:

Uh oh.....

Seems like something happened......

I PURPLE YOU! <33