Aloha, Happy New Years Eve and welcome to the FINALE of Monster II!!
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Not only has Monster reached 870K, but this also reached 100K!!!!
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Since this is the end, pls leave a vote & multiple comments if you can 🥰 & do read the final notes after this chapter as it's very important! Enjoy and... I love you :')
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ᴵ ʷᶦˢʰ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵈᶦᵈ ᵗʰᶦˢ ᵖᵉʳᶠᵒʳᵐᵃⁿᶜᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵃˢᵗ ᶜʰᵃᵖ ᶜᵒᶻ ᵗʰᵉˢᵉ ᵖᶦᶜˢ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ'ᵛᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵖᵉʳᶠᵉᶜᵗˡʸ⁾ ;-;

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ❄️
—FLASHBACK—

I lay in bed with Teddy at my side, her arms cuddling her pillow tight as she hums faint melodies.

"I read this manga recently... Where the lead character was young and happy but... She was pretty lost. Outside of making ends meet she didn't know what to do with her life. She was actually kinda sad... But then she met friends, and a boy she liked, they changed her life forever. They went ice skating... bungee jumping... They really stuck together." She hugs her pillow, getting lost in imagination.

There's a small silence before she whispers on,

"You guys will always be here, right? We won't all split up again..."

I turn to face her. Her eyes are doll-like, hands still clutched onto her pillow innocently.

"You, me, Taehyung, Jimin, Winter, Jungkook, Hoseok... Even Gretch and Chrys. We should go bungee jumping sometime, like the manga."

I release a chuckle at her innocence. Her smile is extra soft as she looks down and fiddles with her pyjamas.

"We'll go wherever you wanna go Ted. None of us are separating again."

—END FLASHBACK—
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ 🌸

I pace another breath as I tiredly hike up the grass-glazed mountain with Taehyung, Jimin, Jungkook, Winter, Gretchen, Chrys, Hoseok at my sides.

To fit the vibrant spirit of Hawaii, I actually dyed my hair blonde for the first time. Well... Taehyung dyed it for me. Since his probation was finally up he decided to treat his first vacation to a perm too. Jimin's hair is died blonde, Jungkook's is black with red highlights alongside hand/ sleeve tattoos, and Winter braided her long locks into five.

As for the kids, they were obviously too young to join so Mina and Jin took them to do more crafty activities. And Yoongi... He's somewhere, I'm sure.

"Were almost at the top guys! Just a little further!" The energetic instructor announces.

Chrys groans, "Ugh, this is exhausting. Remind me to catch a helicopter the next time we climb a stupid mountain."

"Oh hush, this place is beautiful. Just look around!" Jungkook spreads his arms and inhales deeply, "I love me some Waki-waki."

"It's called Mount Waialeale." Winter corrects.

The instructor adds, "That's right! Its name means 'rippling water', and is the second-highest point in the island of Kauaʻi at 5065 feet!"

"W-we're 5,000-feet in the air?" Gretchen stutters.

"Nah, only 4,000. Oh look, we're here!"

Shrugging off the figure like it were nothing, the man spreads his arms and my eyes become immersed in the open dome engulfing me...

Each mountain slopping into each other is covered in nothing but fresh suede greenery. Skinny waterfalls rain down in the form of milky tiger stripes, meeting at the bottom to fuel a huge lake that sparkles the reflection of a rainbow above. The soft steam that arises with each body of water adds both a heaven-like mist and warm, steamy scent.

"Whoa..." Everyone awes at the view. Jungkook immediately captures the moment with his camera while Jimin takes wide selfies.

"This view is breathtaking." I exhale.

"Indeed." The instructor turns to me with a smirk, indicating that I'm the view. Oh no...

Taehyung notices, furrowing his brows and looking the instructor up and down.

"No way! Guys, check out how high we are!" Jungkook laughs excitedly.

Everyone except for Chrys steps closer to the edge cautiously, including me. Just to get a little view of what's below.

Bad idea.

The front of my hair blows aside when I lean over and get a crippling view of the fall before me. I immediately run back into Taehyung's arms.

"Whoa, you okay?"

My head shakes erratically. "I-I don't know if I can do this Tae... I-it's too high..."

"Li, you know you don't have to jump." He strokes my arm.

"But... But I promised Teddy." My eyes begin to tear from overwhelmingness and guilt.

I really wanna fulfill Teddy's last wishes, but now that I'm finally up here my nerves have gotten the best of me and I just... My heart is thumping so hard at the thought.

"What's wrong?" The instructor notices my panic.

I force a polite smile and wipe my teary eye, "S-sorry, I'm just really nervous. I've never bungee-jumped before. I don't know if I can do it."

"Well lucky for you I am a professional. I can attach your harness to mine and we'll—"

"Not necessary." Taehyung slips a hand around my waist and pulls me back forcefully.

"Taehyung..."

"C-could you jump with me then? I think I'm afraid to go alone." Gretchen raises her hand. The man nods in embarrassment and retrieves an extra harness.

Taehyung's lingering scowl on the man manages to extract my chuckle.

"What's with the RBF?"

He shrugs casually, "Nothing."

"Is someone a perhaps jealous?"

"Maybe." He pulls me close and pecks me on the lips with a hand on my ass protectively. "But I don't like that guy. Stay by me and don't let me catch him talking to you again."

His tone is possessive, though something about it is both sexy and amusing. Now he knows how his poor wife feels when he's literally getting hit on by every woman ever.

"Tell you what. How about we get our harnesses linked and I'll jump down with you. So you won't be alone. Sound good?"

"...Sounds good." I nod. I know that with Taehyung, I won't feel nearly as scared.

Chrys finally brings herself to look over the cliff edge with screwed lips before squealing and running back— "Nope! Nope. Not doing it. Take me home."

"You're being a baby." Hoseok nudges her shoulder.

"Do you know what happens to crazy people that jump off cliffs? Their hair gets all frizzy and then they go SPLAT. You weirdos can do this but I'm—"

"I'll jump with you baby." Hoseok catches her waist, letting out a cute noise while snuggling her.

"For the last time I'm not your baby! A-and I'm only jumping with you because I say so. Not you so... Hmph." Her arms fold stubbornly.

Inspired by the act, Jungkook back-hugs Winter also. "And you can jump with me."

"Jungkook, I'm not scared."

"You're not?" I ask.

"Nah, I embrace death."

"You don't have to act tough to impress me Win— Oof."

"I just said I'm not scared." She easily swats his cheek away, but Jungkook squeezes her and kisses her cheek repeatedly anyway.

"Alright everyone, it's a 3,000-foot jump so the crew are securing your harnesses now! Only two parties at a time! Who's first?"

"We'll go." Hoseok raises a hand. Chrys instantly smacks it down and hisses. "What are you doing?!"

"I-It's okay Chrys, I'll go with you." Gretchen smiles timidly, waddling towards the edge with the instructor buckled behind her.

"No no no I don't wanna—!"

"Too late. EEEEEEEEEE!!!" Hoseok's body spreads like a starfish when the pair are released from the platform.

Chrys' scream shrinks in distance comedically before Gretchen follows with shut eyes and a shriek of her own.

"—Let'SSSSS GET ITTTTT!" The next thing I know, Jungkook and Winter are off. Although Winter doesn't make a sound, Jungkook's Elmo laugh and loud "YEAHHHHHH!" echoes through the entire island. I nervously look down to where they disappeared to and gulp.

"Jimin? You sure you're okay jumping on your own?" Taehyung asks.

Jimin just looks down with a hand on the bar, not bringing up his gaze. "Mhm."

He's been quiet again. He wasn't like this earlier, just ever since we stepped onto the maintain... I guess he's thinking a lot about Teddy.

Acknowledging his small hum, Taehyung wraps an army around Jimin and leans into his ear.

"Remember, this was her dream. Let's make this a happy moment."

Jimin turns his head at Taehyung's whispers and shows a light nod before the two men hug briefly.

Eventually, everyone takes their turn and it's just us left. Taehyung's groins press behind me and arms buckle around me as we approach the platform's edge.

"You ready?"

I keep my eyes pinched shut while nodding quickly.

The instructors count down slowly, making my heart race quickly until finally..... We're released.

The overwhelming feeling of fear that paralyzed my feet is suddenly tossed with the wind before I'm suddenly diving through the air with a long scream. Each slope of paradise surrounding us practically fades to a green blur as my mind focuses on nothing but the possibility of my body colliding with the body of water that once seemed miles away, but now is expanding rapidly...

No...

This is a happy moment.

So instead, I force my eyes open and spread my arms while Taehyung's warm embrace tightens around my waist and laugh echoes behind me. It's not fair to let fear keep me frozen in a time like this... When I'm literally as free as a bird. Let's live in the moment.

This is for you Ted.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ☀️

After our terrifying leap of faith, we all meet back up at a cocktail hut as we wait for Mina and Jin to arrive with the kids.

"Ah, there they are. I see them."

"Mommy daddyy wookk!! Aunty Mimi and-and uncle Jin took us to get our hair b-bwaided wib bwowers!" Taesoo twirls to show off her and Snow's hair that's been beautifully braided in flowers, as well as face-painted cheeks.

"Oh my, don't you look beautiful?" Taehyung spins Taesoo like a princess.

Jungkook then tosses his giggly daughter in the air before catching her. "My little snow bunny looks like a princess! Can I have one?" He angles his head. She giggles again and slips one of her flowers in his long hair.

Taesun slugs behind the girls alongside Mina and Jin, not pleased with his girly makeover of flowers, pink face paint and glitter.

"Mommyyyy I don't wanna play with the girls anymore! I wanna do boy things!"

"But Taetae you look so cute!"

Taehyung places a hand on his son's shoulder and whispers, "Plus I think you look really cool."

"You really think so?! Okay!" Taesun places his fists on his hips and protrudes his chest like a superhero. He really does admire his father.

"So how did bungee jumping go?" Mina asks, "Was it scary?"

"Terrifying. But also magical. The waterfalls up there are really stunning."

"I bet. It's a shame I couldn't join you guys. I think mini Mi would've had a heart attack." Mina plants a hand on her protruded belly.

"Well at least you had fun with the kids. Where's yoongi?"

"Take a guess." Jin points to Yoongi in the distance who's fast asleep on the bench we first departed at, his bucket hat covering his face as he snores with crossed arms.

Hoseok runs up to him and shakes his shoulders— "Yaaaahhhhh! Wake up grumpy puss!"

"...Die."

"Okayyy," I cover Taesoo's ears, "So what's next on the agenda? The hula dancers, right?"

Jimin nods, "Yep—"

"Nooo let's go jet skiing. It's funner." Jungkook whines.

"Uh, we just hiked and leaped from a mountain. Our legs need a rest." Winter replies.

"I'm with Winter." Mina raises her hand, making Jin copy, "Same."

"You two didn't even jump!"

"I-I actually thought we could go bike riding," Gretchen says.

"Ugh, this is long. Let's just go back to the hotel and sleep—"

"No." Everyone shuts down Yoongi.

Hoseok adds, "Guys jetskiing makes me seasick so I vote for hula dancers."

"You said we'd go the the beach!" Chrys complains—

"Alright alright stop. Clearly we're not gonna agree on anything so we'll play Rock Paper Scissors."

Taehyung sticks out his fist, making us all look at each other before copying.

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ 🌸

"I can't believe I lost." Jungkook huffs as we take our seats on some cushions in the audience.

Jin just smiles in satisfaction with his chin high and arms spread. "What did I tell you? Name your team Kim Seokjin, and anything is yours."

"Whatever, we're already here. Let's just enjoy the performance." Taehyung quiets everybody.

I point my attention back to the wooden stage that's decorated with palm leaves and flowers. The fast rumble of drums practically controls the dancers' bodies, as their hips somehow roll and shake to every beat without losing balance of their legs. Each woman wears a grass skirt, feathery hat, and a huge consistent smile.

"Damn. I wish I could still move like that." Mina whispers.

The song ends and everyone in the audience claps happily. Taesoo is quick to tug on Taehyung's arm.

"Daddy bat was so cool! I wanna dance in a coconut bwa too when I gwow up!"

"Now Soosoo, what did daddy tell you?"

"No boyfwends or sexy dancing undil I'm 34!"

"You did not tell her that." I gasp and hit him on the shoulder, making him laugh.

"Thank you! Thank you! Now for our next song, we'll need some help from the audience. Any volunteers?" The host announces.

Hobi and Kook instantly look at each other with a meme-worthy face.

"Wanna go up?"

"Sure."

"You coming?" Hobi asks Chrys who scoffs. "Do I look like I wear grass skirts?"

"I'll join." Jin stands up. "You coming babe?"

"I wish I could, but I can barely stand up." Mina laughs self-deprecatingly.

Jungkook then says "Win, I'd invite along but I don't want other men looking at you."

"I wasn't gonna come anyway." She claps back and I snort.

"Any volunteers?" The stage man repeats.

Jungkook, Hobi and Jin raise their arms high before a pair of smiling ladies walk over to retrieve them.

To everyone's surprise however, they also pull up Jimin.

"Wait I didn't volunt—"

"Woooo jimin!" Mina and I clap.

"Aish..... Alright." He throws his head back and laughs in embarrassment.

Taehyung looks back at the kids, reading their pleading faces like books.

"You kids wanna go up too?"

"YES PWEASE!" They latch onto his arms before he's walking them to the stage.

Just when you think it's done, Hoseok and Jungkook run back to tug Yoongi's arm.

"No. No fucking way."

"Come on Yoongz, shake those hips with us!"

"No." He heavies his weight, slowly sliding on his back with a groan.

"Yoongzzzzzzz!"

"Ughhhhh... Fuck you." Too lazy to keep resisting, he stands and lets the guys drag him away.

I lean into Winter with a grin. "Now this should be interesting."

As they all approach the stage, it's hard to contain my laughter and giggles. You'd think it would be us women up there but nope. Just the guys.

"Oh my! Six handsome men and three adorable little ones. This is new." The announcer chuckles, letting the dancers hand them all flower necklaces and grass skirts.

The drums start... And I'm already about to pee myself.

They're meant to be following the movement of the dancers but instead the guys just look chaotic. Jimin tries to wave his hips quickly to each beat without losing sight of the women's hips while Jin's practically stomping his feet and flapping his arms like a bird. Tae dances at the side, holding Taesun's hand and admiring him while Taesoo and Snow wiggle their hips adorably in their little skirts. Yoongi just bends his knees now and then with a straight face, making Hobi swing an arm around his shoulder and whines his hips dramatically with a big open smile. And Jungkook... I don't know what he's doing. I think he's twerking. Either that or spelling his name with his butt.

"Oh my God." Winter blinks.

Gretchen laughs beside me as does Mina who even flops onto my lap. Even Chrys is chuckling. "Alright, maybe this was better than the beach."

"Yeahhhh Yoongi! Shake it!" I cheer with a phone in hand.

He just keeps his eyes shut and lips pressed back patiently. I know he'll kill me for this later.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ 💫

After a day full of laughs and activities, we decided to end things with a delicious evening meal.

The sky casts an orange hue over us from the setting sun, and fiery torches light up in the grasp of tiki statues. The dining table before us becomes filled with traditional Hawaiian dishes while in the distance beyond other tables, we have entertainers juggling and swallowing fire. Although the sound isn't overpowering. All that's to be heard is light music amongst crickets.

Everybody wears relaxed clothes, the boys dressed in tank tops, hats, shorts and sandals while us girls wear colorful dresses and flowers in our hair.

"These past few days have been so fun. I never wanna leave." I sigh.

Mina hums, "Then we should come back here as a group."

"Eh... it's nice, but the people here are too jolly." Yoongi sips his wine like a grandpa until Hoseok furrows his brows.

"How would you know? All you've done is sleep."

"Hoseok, I have a system." He lowers his glass with squinted eyes and an open hand, "My goal in traveling is to sleep in as many countries as I can. It's an art form, you wouldn't understand."

"And my system is to get wasted in as many countries as I can. Waitress, another bottle please!" Jungkook waves.

Winter rolls her eyes, "Don't say that in front of the kids idiot."

Jungkook follows his wife's gaze with rounded eyes when he spots Taesun, Taesoo and Snow all blinking at him innocently.

"Oh k-kids, uh pfffft. This isn't alcohollll. This is uh... Grape juice."

"I wub gwapejucie! I wanna get wasted too!"

Taehyung nearly chokes on his champagne at his daughter's words.

"I think I forgot how chaotic you all were." Gretchen laughs. "I missed it."

"They're not chaotic, they're just stupid. Amusingly stupid."

"It's not our fault you're grouchy because you got bitten by a mosquito, Christella." I mock teasingly.

Hoseok then wraps and arm around her and rubs the spot in which she got bit. "After the meal I'll get some ice and numb it for you, 'kay babe?"

Instead of pushing him away, she just hums a groan of acceptance.

"Aloha friends! My name is Kiko! I have your Laua soup, Tara Ko chips with Saimin, Managua for you and Poi for the little ones!" The waitress lowers 3 dishes for the kids.

Their eyes light up, "Thank you miss Kiko!"

My eyes give me no choice but to roam the waitress's body up and down. She looks like something straight out of a magazine.

Her skin is extremely tanned with this captivating golden glow to it. Her luscious brunette water-waved locks fall to one side and reach her stomach that's on full display beneath her bikini bra and flowy tropical skirt. Her waist is unbelievably small, giving her the perfect slim hourglass figure. And for the face, she's young and adorable with youthful cheeks.

"No prob! And some pineapple juice for the girl with the Hawaiin name..."

"Me?" I laugh nervously. "How did you know?"

"I've heard about you online. The way you shot that motorcycle? So cool."

Oh my God...

"Isn't that like, your seventh glass of pineapple juice?" Taehyung's eyes me as I nervously sip on the straw.

"Well gosh Tae, I can't tell the baby what to like you know."

"W-what?!"

"Kidding." I roll my eyes.

"Oh! And a bottle of wine for you sir. I got you the big one, don't tell." Kiko hands JK his desired liqour.

"You my dear, deserve a raise. Any chance we can bring you back in our suitcase?"

She laughs, "No but I'll be visiting Korea for a while soon. Maybe I'll see you all around."

As I finally dig into my food, my smile falls into a frown when I notice Jimin sitting opposite me at the end of our table, aimlessly picking at his.

"Jimin? What's wrong?"

"Huh? N-Nothing. I'm happy." He smiles.

"Hmm... Something's wrong, you've gotten quiet again. What's up?"

He sighs and runs a hand through his hair.

"It's just... Teddy would've loved it here you know? She talked about it a lot. I really wanted to bring her one day."

Taehyung and I frown empathetically when he utters her name.

"I know you still miss her bro. We all do... But maybe it's time to move forward with someone else. You might surprise yourself with someone you really like."

"I don't really know if I can... I mean isn't it weird? I still have our matching tattoos on my body, and I visit her brothers..."

"And you can still do those things. All Tae's saying is that you deserve to be loved like the rest of us. More than the rest of us. It's not fair that you're left out."

"Oh, do you not like your food sir?" The waitress, Kiko, approaches him.

Jimin looks up in surprise and shakes his head with a waving hand. "Oh no no, it's perfect. I'm sorry."

"Hey... I think I saw you on stage earlier today. You participated in the hula dance, no?"

"Oh, you saw that?" He laughs in embarrassment.

"Heck yeah! I couldn't take my eyes off you. You're a natural! You must visit Kauaʻi more often. You move better than my co-workers." She laughs adorably with a hand on his shoulder.

Jimin laughs back, his gaze fixated on her golden features.

"I'll go get more drinks, call you you need anything."

As soon as she's gone, Taehyung and I slowly return our eyes to Jimin with big grins.

He chews more slowly, "...What?"

"What? Uh, she was totally into you!" I whisper.

"Huh?! N-no way, she was just being friendly."

"Nah, she put her hand on your shoulder. She likes you." Mina says.

"You guys are over reading it." Jimin shakes his head but Hoseok is quick to chime in.

"You can't possibly shut this one down. I mean look at her. She's gorgeous, her accent is sexy and she seems totally innocent. Shed's right up your alley."

"And she got me an XL bottle of wine dude." Jungkook gulps, "She's a legend. Go talk to her."

Upon hearing everyone's opinions, Jimin looks down with a clenched jaw at his food once more before I hold his hand across the table.

"You don't have to do anything of course. As your friends, we just want to see you happy and in love again. You're still so young, so kind and so talented. You deserve to spend your life with someone just as. So... Talk to her if you want, but you don't have to. We're here for you either way Jimin."

He shows me a soft, faint smile, taking a minute to think.

Shutting his eyes and blowing out a breath, Jimin gets up and heads to the tiki hut to talk to her.

"No way! He did it!" Jungkook and Hoseok slap each other like excited gossip girls. The kids then throw their arms in the air.

"Hoowayyyy! Uncle Chim and Kiko, sitting in the tree! K-I—"

Taehyung is quick to cover both girls' mouths and shush them.

Taking a glance over my shoulder, I watch Jimin say something to the beautiful Hawaiian woman who pushes his shoulder cutely, making him do the same. Noticing his hand, she then gasps and holds it up, astonished by his tiny pinky finger. She compares her pinky to his and Jimin squints his eyes before throwing his head back in playful embarrassment.

"You think she'll stick?" Jin asks. Mina replies, "I don't see why not. They're both stunning and kind-hearted."

"Beats me how she finds him cute in that ridiculous tourist hat." Chrys sips her tea—

"Hey! I got him that hat!" Hoseok protests.

"Figures."

"Shh shh! He's coming back. Act like you weren't talking about him." Jungkook 'causally' crosses his legs and sips his wine.

Jimin's brow arches as he slowly retakes his seat.

"...Whatchya' guys talking about?"

"Nothing." Jungkook shrugs high pitched.

"Yeah nun." I shake my head.

"We were not singing about you kissing that lady."

"Taesoo!"

"Hehehe... Sowyy mommy." She giggles behind her hands.

I shake my head and ask him excitedly, "Well? Did you get her number?!"

"Yeah, I got it."

"Way to go! What did she say??"

"She was really lovely and... Has a contagious laugh. She complimented me a lot too. I guess I judged too soon."

"My man!" Jungkook swings his arms around Jimin's neck and shakes him around excitedly.

"I'd say this deserves a toast." Mina lifts her glass.

"What should we toast to?"

"Jimin finally getting some action."

Winer scowls at Jungkook's ignorance before he defends himself, "I'm joking!"

Chrys rolls her eyes and sighs before raising her glass. "Let's toast to more money in the new year."

Hoseok joins, "And to no more annoying ass cops."

"I'm sitting right here Horse."

"Ok ok, let's toast to a drama-free life from now on to end this bickering." Winter sighs.

"Orrr..."

Taehyung spares me a trusty glance of admiration that instantly has me smiling back.

"A toast... To freedom. And to family."

"To freedom and family!"

Our glasses all clink, even the kid's who drink apple juice, as we all meet in the center with laughs and cheers. The happy smiles circling around me take me back to the goofy days of the cafe, only this time with more faces.

Finally, everyone's happy.

I lower back into my seat to catch Taehyung's eyes that are just as dreamy as when we first met. The edge of his plump lips curl ever-so-slightly before he lands a peck on my lips.

"I love you Li."

I smile even wider and give him a soft kiss back. This really was destiny. All of this. So many times life tried to interfere and end us both yet we made it out of everything happy and free.

I'm ready to grow old with this man... To spend the rest of my life with him and tell crazy stories to our grandchildren... I'm ready for anything, as long as Kim Taehyung is by my side.

"I love you too, Tae."

"Eewww, mommy and daddy are kissing!" Taesun points.

I roll my eyes and pull my son close, planting a kiss of his forehead before Taesoo's.

"Oh shush, one day this'll be you. Just... Don't go around dating your bosses when you're older, okay?

Taehyung chuckles at my statement before pulling my waist closer and pressing his lips against mine once more.

To freedom..... And to family.

—THE END—