The rest stayed in the room for a while longer, regretting their past decisions and mentally preparing themselves for the same fate as their partner. Even if none of them rebelled, their fate would be the same.

Everything was progressing by leaps and bounds.

Those guides who had been betrayed had vanished into thin air, and no one seemed to know anything about them. It was as if they had vanished from the face of the Earth, leaving no trace of their passage through the planet. Jungkook knew they were hiding somewhere, protected by Lee and his henchmen until it was time to fight.

With that in mind, Jungkook also started his own preparation, which was basically going over everything he had learned. Now it was a common scene to see him sitting on the floor of the room, meditating, connecting with his gem on a deeper level. Sometimes he would speak to Hana in the best way to proceed with the attack. They had raised different scenarios since they did not know how the war would really start, if because of a surprise attack or by the decision of both sides. They were all mentally preparing for what was to happen, for the multiple outcomes that were still unknown to them.

But no matter how much they prepared, Yoongi still did not know very well what he was going to do once the appointed day arrived. He was very clear that he would not take part directly in the war. His body was not prepared to fight, having never trained for it, and his mind was not prepared to face the shadows. Those shadows, those dark fairies, might have disappeared from his life, but that didn't mean he could face them as if nothing had happened, as if they hadn't tortured him day and night. Yoongi was stronger because he had Jungkook by his side, who had taught him to block certain unpleasant sensations, to communicate with his own gem, to defend himself from the shadows in case they got close to him.

Yoongi felt useless for not being able to be of more help, and that feeling intensified every time he saw Jungkook with his training routine. Of course, he had done his best to block out his worries from Jungkook not realizing it. But sometimes Jungkook, after one of his meditation sessions, would open his eyes and meet his gaze, and Yoongi had the feeling that the boy could look directly into his soul, to see everything that Yoongi was trying to hide It was a strange sensation that left him a bit agitated, feeling Jungkook's eyes glued to his body even though the boy was not looking at him. Maybe Yoongi was exaggerating, maybe it was all a figment of his imagination because he felt guilty that he was hiding his feelings.

And he wasn't the only one worried about the war and what it would mean to all of them if any of them didn't return. If Jungkook didn't come back. Because it all came down to the fact that Jungkook was the only one among them all who could enter the tree and fight alongside the fairies. He had prepared for it for years without knowing it, like so many other people who, like him, had dedicated their lives to protecting the tree and seeking a cure while helping the people they encountered. The only thing that kept them relatively relieved was the fact that the fairies guarding the tree would accompany them. Until they found out that each would go on their own.

"What do you mean that each one will go alone?" Jimin asked, shocked, his worst fear taking shape in front of him.

"Well, that's what we will each go to on our own," Jungkook replied.

"Isn't a fairy even going with you?"

"No."

"Have you lost your mind?"

Jungkook didn't even flinch at Jimin's tone, who was on the verge of an attack. His breathing was heavy, and he kept pacing from one side of the room to the other. For a change, they had all gathered at Jimin and Taehyung's house, and after a delicious meal -Jin's work, of course- they had talked about their jobs, vacations, and how much fun it would be to all go. Together on a trip. Jungkook had been strangely quiet, but no one had realized how excited they were with the idea. But Yoongi noticed, of course. He did not know how, but one thing led to another, and they ended up talking about the war, about how they would face the situation. And that's when Jungkook dropped the bombshell news.

"Hyung, calm down," Jungkook asked him.

"How do you expect me to calm down? It is a war, Jungkook, in a place that you have never stepped on and with no one to guide you, to cover your back. It doesn't sound very good to say."

No one in the room dared to say anything and come between Jimin and Jungkook. Blood ties might not link them, but the two were like brothers, and like their Hyung, it was normal for Jimin to worry about their well-being and safety. Although he knew that Jungkook could perfectly defend himself and that he had abilities that many envied, he couldn't help but worry. Jimin had spent many years by Jungkook's side, witnessing how strong the effects of the shadows were, how they used up all your energy when you tried to protect the tree from further damage. But in those situations, Hana or other guides had accompanied him, once even Haneul, and that reduced the side effects of his exposure to shadows. This time, however, he would go completely unprotected to fight a horde of shadow's hunger to get his head as a prize. It might be selfish, but Jimin didn't want to win a war at the cost of his best friend's life.

"I know it doesn't sound good, but—"

"Seriously?" Jimin interrupted him without believing him.

"But it's something we've trained ourselves to do," Jungkook said after taking a deep breath. "Also, in there we will be in contact through our gems, and the fairies will cover us with different protections to help us."

"And how long do those protections last? Because I bet what you want, they have an expiration date."

Jungkook made a face. Jimin had hit the spot. "About four hours, more or less."

"But if we consider that you will fight, time will decrease, right? Half, more or less, right?"

"An hour and a half," Jungkook said after a few seconds of silence, causing everyone to take a deep breath and swallow hard.

"This is crazy," Jimin muttered. "Yoongi Hyung, please tell him something. Make him see reason."

It was unfair for Jimin to ask him that. Neither wanted Jungkook to risk his life that way, with so little chance of succeeding, but it was unfair to entrust him with convincing him. Everyone knew how stubborn the boy was when he put something on his mind, and this time it was no different. But now Jungkook shared a bond with Yoongi, and Jimin knew and the others that Jungkook would listen to his pleas because Yoongi was the most important thing to him. However, Yoongi knew that no matter how much he pleaded with him, Jungkook would follow through with his decision. He would do it with pain to be put between a rock and a hard place, between fighting and staying by Yoongi's side, but he would end up doing what he considered right.

"The truth is, I don't want you to go," Yoongi said after thinking about his words. Jimin had let out a sigh of relief at her words while Jungkook had tensed like a bowstring, "but I know this is something you have to do to save the tree and keep us all protected, as you have been doing until now. All I ask is that you come back."

Jungkook's throat formed a lump from Yoongi's words. He knew that it was difficult for the producer to accept that he was going to a war from which he might not return. He had changed his thinking about soul mates, had given himself a chance to be happy, and had rearranged his life so that Jungkook was present in it.

Jungkook nodded, not believing that he could speak without a tear escaping. He interlaced his hand with Yoongi's and gave it a little squeeze, thanking him for his support while apologizing for the unpleasant drink he was going to put him through. After that, there wasn't much else to talk about, and the atmosphere was somewhat awkward, so everyone dispersed. Before they left, Jimin and Jungkook said goodbye with a hug. As much as they argued, the two of them always ended up going back to each other's side to show their support, even if they disagreed on something.

"Sorry, Hyung," Jungkook said once they got home.

"You don't have to apologize, Kookie."

"I assure you that if there was another way to save the tree, if I didn't put myself at risk, I would. We have looked at all the possibilities, but no strategy was as good as this."

Yoongi just tugged at him until the two of them were lying on the bed. "I know, Jungkook. I know this is difficult for you either, and although I want you to be safe, you know that you have my support." He said while stroking her hair, the boy closing his eyes at the caress and holding Yoongi in his arms.

"I love you, Yoongi." I will be back.

"I love you too, Jungkook." I will wait for you.

This story belongs to @nometoloko on AO3. I'm just her translator.

This chap was heartbreaking. The war--🥺 🥺 🥺