One thing was for certain.

Yoongi had to figure himself out. 

He awoke in Jungkook's arms, feeling the boy's cool breath hitting his neck, expression serene. Meanwhile, Yoongi had a restless night, one that plagued him with endless thoughts. He couldn't erase the image of Hoseok from his mind, his taunting words repeating relentlessly in Yoongi's mind.

He'd chalked his unwillingness to shoot Hoseok to their roles in the situation. Hoseok had taken all the power and control, which wasn't fun for someone like Yoongi, who craved being in control of situations. Everything that had happened yesterday seemed nothing more than a figment of Yoongi's imagination, but he could still remember every detail, down to every lingering breath. 

Yoongi promised that he'd be back to finish the job, to which Hoseok had waved off, making Yoongi feel frustrated beyond imagining. How could Hoseok ever be that reckless, that sure Yoongi wouldn't try anything? How love foolish was Hoseok to make an image of Yoongi in his mind, one that wouldn't kill him? Hoseok had all the facts, yet he didn't seem to care.

Yoongi adapted different personalities when it came to his targets. He made himself in the image of the person his target would like the most. Hoseok had been no exception. Choi Jihoon had been someone that would interest Hoseok because he was made to, yet, Hoseok was hellbent on keeping Yoongi by his side. It didn't matter that Yoongi had killed the Lees. The fact seemed to have disappeared from Hoseok's mind.

Love made people crazy, Yoongi knew that, but Hoseok was on another level.

"Stupid Jung Hoseok," Yoongi murmured underneath his breath. "You have a death wish."

He could feel Jungkook stirring beside him. Yoongi frowned, closing his eyes to pretend to be asleep. Jungkook would be able to see right through him, and the last thing Yoongi wanted was to feed onto Jungkook's insecurities. He had told himself he would try for Jungkook, and Yoongi didn't want Jungkook to fail his mission.

Of course, Jung Hoseok was making it impossibly difficult. 

"Morning Yoongi," Jungkook mumbled, sitting up in the bed.

"I didn't want to wake you," Yoongi answered, turning towards Jungkook. Jungkook smiled at him sleepily, leaning in to kiss Yoongi on the forehead. 

"I know," Jungkook whispered, running his fingers through Yoongi's hair. "It's pretty late. We should get going. Head to HQ, and then we can go get a bite to eat. How does that sound?"

"Great," Yoongi replied, a small smile breaking through his features. "How was yesterday, by the way? I waited up for you but ended up falling asleep."

Jungkook gazed at him, surprised. "You waited for me?"

Yoongi nodded. "I did. You came late."

"Same reason you left yesterday," Jungkook answered. "Don't worry; nothing happened between us. I mean, I have you, right?" 

"Of course, you have me."

Not even Yoongi couldn't believe the statement.

🥀 

"I'm surprised you wanted to meet with me."

Hoseok smiled wanly at Rose, who stared at him in confusion etched with mild surprise. He, the waiter who'd set down his food, turning back to Rose, who was still gazing at him in wonder. Hoseok sighed, leaning into the table, making sure his voice came out low.

"I know you're trying to get me killed."

Rose froze at the statement, her eyebrow immediately arching. Hoseok looked at her expectantly, taking a bite of his food, awaiting Rose's response. Rose remained silent, her fingers starting to shake slightly, though she caught herself.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Rose finally answered. "Are you—"

"Cut the crap, Rose," Hoseok interjected, giving her a cross look. "I know you contacted Project Heartbreak to target me, and I know that Min Yoongi was assigned to me. I know, Rose, and if you don't want my confidant and I to leak everything you and your father have willingly participated in, you'll listen to me."

Rose pressed her lips together. "What do you want?"

"Thank you, for one," Hoseok chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "Without you, Min Yoongi wouldn't have waltzed into my life. I fell for him, though that's what you wanted, wasn't it? Guess you won on that front. However, this comes with bigger problems."

"Oh, really?" Rose scoffed, crossing her arms. Hoseok grinned.

"Well, yes," Hoseok said, maintaining his upbeat tone. "It's come to my attention that as an Elite, if Yoongi fails his mission, he'll be killed in my stead. I can't have that happen, so I need you to call off the target on me."

Rose looked at Hoseok incredulously. It was as if Hoseok had grown three heads, at least in Rose's perception. Even though Hoseok was talking to her casually, there was a warning tone embedded in him, one that was warning Rose about consequences she didn't want to go through if she didn't give Hoseok his way. She had succeeded in getting Hoseok to fall for someone else, at least.

Still, she hadn't expected for Hoseok to talk to her about the target on him so calmly. It scared her that Hoseok could talk about his potential death so casually. Just how far gone was Hoseok, that he cared more about someone else than himself? Hoseok had never cared for anyone but himself, but here he was, demanding Rose to let him go so that Yoongi— someone who was trying to kill him, could live.

"Since when do you care about others?" Rose scoffed. Hoseok rolled his eyes, looking at her unimpressed.

"I could say the same thing to you, considering that you put a bounty on my head because you couldn't handle the fact that I didn't want you," Hoseok spat venomously. "Let me go, Rose. What I am asking for is something that will preserve my life and Yoongi's. Me asking you is being nice."

"And if I don't?"

"Then I'll make sure that everyone knows what your father, the President, funds," Hoseok smiled coldly. "Imagine. A whole organization existing underneath everyone's noses, one specialized in breaking hearts—the Elite, given orders directly from the government to kill specific people in the business industry. The tabloids will get a laugh out of that one. Call it back. Rescind it, or everything you have right now will be gone."

Rose swallowed the lump in her throat. "What do you want me to say to them? I'll need a legitimate reason."

Hoseok shrugged. "Tell them you're pregnant with my child."

"Are you serious?" Rose asked, shocked. "How could you just be willing to lie about such a thing?"

"You think I haven't thought about what steps you're going to take to ensure Yoongi and I make it out of Project Heartbreak alive?" Hoseok laughed, dipping his head. "You say you're expecting; they let me go. Yoongi is let go from Project Heartbreak; he and I get to have our happy ending. It's as simple as that."

"Yoongi is Project Heartbreak's Prodigy," Rose retorted. "They're not going to want to let him go, especially when he's at his peak."

Hoseok's gaze darkened. "I don't give a damn, Rose. If he isn't let go, I'll make him quit. Either way, you have to call off the attack against me."

"Did you know your friends are also targets? Rose blurted, catching Hoseok off guard. "Seokjin, Jimin, Namjoon. All of them are targets too. Have you reached out at all in the past few days? I bet one of them is already dead."

"And I know they'd want me to save myself," Hoseok seethed, "which is exactly what I'm doing. If Yoongi comes later tonight and ends up killing me, everything will be leaked. I promise you that."

"You may love Yoongi, but does he feel the same way for you?" Rose shot back. "You think he'd abandon his job and everything just for you."

Hoseok's lips curled into a tight smile, the dark look continuing in his expression. "We'll have to see, don't we?"

If yesterday night had proved something to Hoseok, it was that Yoongi didn't know what he was feeling. Sure, Hoseok could say that Yoongi didn't like being told what to do, but he could see that Yoongi struggled with himself. Mingi had dug more information on Min Yoongi, and Hoseok knew almost everything about him. Of course, Yoongi didn't know that, nor would he ever find out how much Hoseok knew of him, but at least Hoseok knew enough to know that Yoongi was conflicted.

Hoseok finished his food, standing up. Rose looked up, watching him warily. Hoseok sighed, running his fingers through his hair before looking at Rose once more.

"Your future rests on your hands, Rose."

Rose gulped.

"Choose wisely."

🥀 

Yoongi looked at himself in the mirror— really looked at himself.

He'd gotten the red dye out of his hair and gotten rid of the blue contacts. It didn't matter anyhow now that Hoseok knew exactly who he was. His fingers grabbed at the now dark locks of his hair, coffee eyes shining brightly as he continued to look at himself.

He watched as Jungkook appeared at the door, a hint of a smile on his face. Jungkook leaned against the doorway, admiring Yoongi from afar. Yoongi shook his head, gesturing Jungkook to go in.

"You know, I've always preferred your natural look," Jungkook said, his arms wrapping around Yoongi's waist. Yoongi's hands drifted to Jungkook's own, his eyes remaining locked onto the mirror as Jungkook showered him with innocent, loving kisses— from cheeks to neck. 

"Alright, lovebird, we've still got work to do," Yoongi chuckled, turning towards Jungkook, who smiled at him once more. "We can go on a date after we're done. Just like old times."

"Old times we fucked in our supposed lovers' bedrooms," Jungkook answered, kissing Yoongi on the lips once before continuing. "Going on a date would be new times. Wait, Yoongi, you're not forcing yourself into anything you don't want, right?"

Yoongi shook his head. "You think I'd force myself to try things out with you."

"I don't know, but it's odd that it wasn't until I told you about Jimin that you started showing something towards me," Jungkook confessed, earning a small sigh from Yoongi. 

"You're overthinking, Jungkook," Yoongi said, cupping Jungkook's cheeks. "I told you I didn't want to lose you. I wasn't lying when I said that."

Jungkook leaned into Yoongi's touch. "I know you weren't."

"Then stop doubting," Yoongi said in response. "I'm not there yet, I know, but baby steps."

Before Yoongi could say anything else, his phone began to ring. He sighed, taking it out to see Hoseok's caller ID showing. Jungkook raised an eyebrow. Yoongi rolled his eyes, pulling away from Jungkook and making some distance between them before answering.

"I was wondering when you'd pick up, sweetheart," Hoseok greeted, voice trailing with glee. "You told me you were going to kill me tonight. Where are you?"

"Oh, trust me, Hoseok, I'm heading your way right now," Yoongi chirped, feeling his blood boil at Hoseok's cocky tone. "I'll be there in fifteen."

"See you then, Min Yoongi."

"I'll show him," Yoongi murmured, grabbing his things. Jungkook looked at him questioningly, to which the younger shook his head. "Don't worry, Jungkook. I'll be done with Hoseok in no time."

"Okay," Jungkook echoed, walking out the room with Yoongi. "I should probably head off too. Figure out where those two are so I can finish the deed."

Yoongi grinned. "Do that, and we're one step closer to the future. I'll see you soon, Jungkook."

What Yoongi didn't know is that soon was a lot sooner than he'd ever thought.

a/n: zaddy seok to the rescue 😚 next chapter is the last chapter before heading into the epilogue. we out here going real speed, whoops!

NOT YALL WANTING YOONGI TO KILL HOSEOK SDLKJGFDHJKGLKJ GOODBYEBKNFG

but honestly, yoonkook or sope? research purposes for myself, no worries.

i'll probably release chapter 21, project execution tomorrow, if not later today. i would like a nap right now kekekekeke. have a feeling it'll be hella long so prepare for the reading!

thank you for reading ❤️