~2 months earlier~
November 2016
"Aim for the neck."
The black figure stared back at him, motionless as it awaited its end.
"Then the head."
Slowly, his gun rose as he prepared himself to make the shot.
"Instant death."
Instant death would have meant that his bullets had gone through the black figure's head and neck with a clean hole.
Put simply.
Death would have meant Taehyung actually hitting his target.
Something he failed to do as his teammates watched each of his bullets etch themselves deeper into the wall opposite them. The black figure, though lifeless paper, seemingly smirked back at a blinking Taehyung.
"Try again." Chief Jung encouraged him.
To no avail.
The same deafening sound of bullets hitting concrete crept up Taehyung's spine. Just as slowly as Chief Jang Dongwoo's laughter as he got to his feet. Taehyung didn't dare look at him but he could perfectly imagine the smug look on his Chief's face. He could just feel his confident stride as he walked over to the booth right next to Taehung's.
"The key is to actually hit the target, rookie." Dongwoo cackled as he slipped on his ear protection.
Taehyung did allow himself to look at him this time, only to regret his choice the moment he did.
Of course, Taehyung had felt odd when he'd slipped on his gear. However, he now felt as though a child as he took in his chief's lean physique. Even as he slipped on horrid looking yellow eye protection, his cocky grin still made him all the more handsome. Making Taehyung want to crawl all the way back to a toddler's sandbox.
Thankfully Chief Jung was there to protect his dignity as a man.
"He's never practiced in a shooting range like ours."
Or not.
Taehyung could only wallow deeper into his shame as Private Taeyong set down his gun.
"Then maybe he should go back to his polished desk."
No one but his roommate could be aware of his acute sense of cleanliness. So much so that Taehyung couldn't help but throw a look at Private Taeyong. Only to meet a disdainful look that perfectly matched that of his brisk tone.
"At least then you'd reach your targets when playing Call of Duty."
Taehyung didn't even play Call of Duty.
It was Halo.
However, he would die before giving Taeyong the satisfaction.
"Officer!" Chief Jung warned as he stepped away from Taehyung.
"He doesn't seem like the type to do that."
As though a sign of salvation, Taehyung looked over to the owner of the gentle tone. Instead of practicing his shooting like the others, Sergeant Mark Tuan was sitting at a table, a large manuscript in his hands. Taehyung prayed that his sentence had brought this conversation to an end. However, it would seem that roommates were at the ready today.
"Right?"
Taehyung immediately cursed Lieutenant Jackson Wang as the latter walked over to his roommate, Sergeant Tuan. More than done with his roommate's antics, Mark could only roll his eyes before handing his bottle of water to Jackson. The latter gladly smiled before taking a large swig and emptying the bottle. Handing the bottle back to Mark with as much cheerfulness as when he'd received it. Only to have the bottle thrown back at his face the following minute. With this, Private Taeil could easily continue Jackson's sentence.
"He wouldn't even dare play during office hours. Isn't that right, rookie?"
They'd worked in the same department. Private Taeil's desk had been right next to his. Just as close as Taeyong's on his right hand side! Hell, they'd joined the Dread Unit at the same time! Therefore, Taehyung could take everyone's shit but theirs! Today would be the end!
Starting by wiping off his roommate's smug look.
"In some first person shooter games, even if shot in the head, some refuse to go down. Should I give it a try?"
No words could explain how pale Taeyong had grown as Taehyung pointed his gun's barrel right at his head.
"Now, that's enough!" Chief Jung snapped as he stepped between the two of them.
All under Sergeant Lee Hoya's amused chuckle. Slipping off his eye protection, he turned to focus on the young officers.
"But here's the catch Private." He smiled as his eyes met Taehyung's. "We are not the ones shooting in your games."
"Don't encourage them!" Chief Jung clucked his tongue before ripping the gun out of Taehyung's hands.
"Why not?" Dongwoo noted as he raised his gun. "Hoya's got a point."
"After all, when we shoot." Jackson started as he folded his arms across his chest.
"Our prey always goes down."
As though on cue, the end of Mark's sentence perfectly echoed with Dongwoo's gunshot. So much so that the youngsters couldn't help but slightly blink as their gazes turned over to the wall. Instead of meeting perfectly lined up black figures, their gazes focused on a piece of paper as it slowly swayed in the wind before settling on the ground.
All that was the left of the black figure?
Its head.
"But I like your bravery rookie." Jackson winked as he sidled closer to him.
All before getting hit at the back of the head by Chief Jung. He couldn't help but swear under his breath as he glared at his chief. Though petite, he held his ground as he glared right back at him. Even blowing a lock of his dark brown hair out of his eyes as he folded his arms across his chest.
"The key is to integrate him, not verbally abuse him!" He clucked his tongue back at him as he scoffed.
"What gives you the right to go all out on me, Chief?" He warned as he mirrored his stance.
"Your stupidity, Lieutenant!"
Hoseok-1/ Jackson-0
Jackson could only mock gasp back at him as he slightly stuck his tongue out at him. Before he could retaliate, Dongwoo stepped in and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Who's verbally abusing who now, Chief Jung?" He winked at him as he rolled his eyes. "Let us give the boy some love, our way."
"And have me pick up the pieces of his dignity on your way out?" He sighed as he stopped his fingers from playing with his hair.
"You dote on him like some sort of mother hen." Hoya cut in as he joined them, wrapping his arms around Taeyong's neck.
"Why can't we do the same?" Dongwoo smiled as he rested his head on Jackson's shoulder.
"You call this doting?"
"Considering we always make it out alive because of Intel." Mark noted without looking up from his book for even a second.
"What else can we do but dote on our little rookie?"
Jackson finished cheerfully as Hoseok rolled his eyes at the idiotic men he was surrounded by. The answer to that simple question was, of course, to make the dear little rookie go through hell for all the times Intel had given them outdated or false information and put their lives in jeopardy. However, before he could call them out on their crap, the doors to the training room burst open.
Of course, every time they saw him, they all took a pause to take in Park Jimin's angelic features. Especially as he seemed to lack any knowledge of a comb and always stepped in with his red locks curled in the cutest of ways. This paired with his shining and mischievous eyes as he scanned the room. All before his calm tone wrapped around them. Thus, making their fall back to harsh reality into his impromptu battle preps that much harder.
"Five enemies. 50 yards away."
Battle simulations that all sounded like Chinese to their dear rookie, Kim Taehyung.
"Nearest shelter. 25 yards."
More than just seemingly lost, Taehyung copied the others as they all geared up and grabbed their guns.
"Escape route. 10 yards."
Taehyung raised an eyebrow as he stared at the blank wall ahead of him. His imagination was clearly not doing the math fast enough. Sure enough, behind those walls was the base's courtyard.
"10 enemies ahead. Needed Dead."
Taehyung's eyes widened as he took in the words but before he could even process them, more came in.
"Shoot at once. If one survives: We die."
Hold On.
Taehyung's eyes fidgeted from side to side as he saw several black figures ahead of him being dismantled in a fury of black and white paper clouds.
Hold On.
Taehyung's hands trembled as he tried to process what to do.
Hold On.
Taehyung's shot fired.
Resonating throughout the quiet room.
Just as his gasp as he felt the barrel of a gun rest at the back of his own head.
"If one survives." A click resonated through Taehyung's mind as his Lieutenant readied his gun. "You die." Taehyung's breath caught as he felt his Lieutenant's breath brush against his cheek. "You're dead, Private Kim."
That hadn't been the only thing that Taehyung had felt in that moment.
"You also wet yourself, Private Kim."
Ever since he'd gotten the highest field test score of his year and made it to this Unit, Taehyung had known glory. Still, Taehyung had felt shame before. He'd felt a shitload of shame ever since he'd joined the army.
But this?
This?
This was true shame as all of his comrades burst into laughter.
All but his First Lieutenant as he stepped back and slipped his gun back into his holster.
"5 seconds too late." Jimin started as he walked around the training room. "5 seconds too many for our enemy to retaliate." Jimin stopped in his tracks right behind Second Lieutenant Wang. "Instead of chatting." Jackson cleared his throat as Jimin rested a hand on his shoulder. "Do train them next time and make them react faster."
"Still unable to utter something as simple as a hello, Lieutenant?" Jackson countered as he slid his gun across the surface in front of him.
"Still think you're worth a millisecond of my time, Second Lieutenant?"
"Ouch."
Taeil instantly cleared his throat as the word escaped his lips. Still, everyone had heard him. Especially Jackson as he glared at him. However, that small lapse had been enough to lessen the tension in the room. Everyone stifled a small chuckle before starting to slip off their gear.
Jackson sharply shook his shoulder away from Jimin as the latter stepped back. He nodded towards all off his Officers before focusing on Chief Jung as he walked over to him.
"Have any orders come in, Lieutenant?"
His question seemed vague but Jimin knew he referred to the tension that still hung in the air despite the laughter echoing through the room. After all, they all had one question.
Who was going to die next?
Of course they should have thought of catching the culprit. Yet wasn't it human nature to worry about one's skin before anything else?
Jimin shook his head at his question and he couldn't help but give him a small nod. Slightly nodding once more, he then smiled before looking over to Private Taehyung's now vacant booth.
"He's making progress." He assured Jimin and the latter raised an eyebrow.
"Wetting his pants is seen as progress?" Jimin cocked his head to the side.
Till this day, Park Jimin still couldn't comprehend why on earth they had brought someone like Taehyung to his unit. Of course, he was losing men faster than necessary because of unknown reasons. Still, that didn't mean he was desperate for people to fill in the vacant positions. True Taehyung's test scores had been excellent. However, Jimin needed someone who was ready to kill; someone who reacted impulsively without needing a guidebook to show him the way.
Not someone who would probably cry himself to sleep tonight after miserably failing such a little test.
"Well, he was before you went all Park Jimin on his ass."
Jimin couldn't help but blink out of his thoughts before cocking his head to the side.
"What is that supposed to mean, Jung Hoseok?"
"You know what I mean, socially-awkward-and-handsome-yet-an-asshole best friend of mine."
"You could give me better qualifications, funny-and-goofy-and-ugly-yet-superb, best friend of mine."
Despite it all, Hoseok found himself laughing at his best friend's words. It was at times like these that he thanked the heavens for allowing him to be in the same Unit as he. Though rash and more than unable to hold a simple conversation at times, he was the only one who could make him smile through all their hardships.
"You're not exactly putting me on a pedestal, Lieutenant Park." He teased as he ruffled his hair.
"Well, of course." He shyly teased back as Hoseok pulled on his cheek. "You are the one who has to put me on a pedestal, Chief."
"Oh my, I think our Park Jimin's tiny head has begun swelling because of all that cockiness." He cooed as he cupped Jimin's cheeks.
It was Jimin's turn to smile as he evaded Hoseok's hands.
Though it was hard for him to put into words, Hoseok also made him happy. Just when he thought he'd be unable to smile with all the uncertainty surrounding them, he was right there. The same Jung Hoseok who had thought him a girl in kindergarten. Only to punch him and call him out as a pervert when he deciphered the opposite a whopping ten years later. Jimin could only smile to himself as he thought about it again. All the while ignoring Hoseok's words as he chatted about what he'd eaten this morning. The conversation was meaningless but it was all they needed.
Gently patting his head, Jimin nodded at his words.
All under Dongwoo's appalled gaze.
"It is so scary how he can actually smile like that." He whispered before covering his lips as he nudged Hoya. "He's never even spoken normally to me."
"He did." Mark nodded as he reached for his book once more.
"When was that?"
Jackson pulled it away and Mark could only sigh as he raised it to his lips. It was quite unnerving how even when he frowned, the lieutenant retained a slight endearing side to him. Especially as he hid behind the large book.
"He asked you where the bathroom was in military school."
Triumphant, Mark grabbed his book. All under his comrade's gaping mouths as they stared at him.
"Oh why thank you, Mark Tuan."
Dongwoo was the first to break through the silence as he spoke through gritted teeth.
"Thank You for this definition of a conversation."
Jackson had to admit that Mark's soft smile was cute.
Though Dongwoo strongly had to disagree as Hoya stopped him from lunging at Mark.
Taehyung chose that moment to come back from changing. Over the last month, he'd gotten used to his comrades' antics. Though one thing he still found hard to believe was how his Lieutenant instantly changed in Chief Jung's presence. No longer scary, he seemed as though an innocent child as he blushed when he reprimanded him. Though he smacked his arm, he was gentle as he teasingly pushed his hand away. Put simply, he was overly conscious of him but in a caring way.
A way so different from his usual looks.
Just like the one he now sent Taehyung.
A blush instantly crept on Taehyung's cheeks. Though, at first, reprimanding himself for thinking about his Lieutenant in such a way. He now simply took in his daunting features. His eyes acquiring a mischievous glint as he shyly looked away. Only to look straight ahead once more and hiding the whisper of a smile.
Though mesmerized, Taehyung sincerely wondered when on earth his Lieutenant had started looking at him in such a way. All before yelping as he was pushed out of the way. He looked up to see Captain Kim and Colonel Choi walking in. Quickly, he fell into a salute.
His mind never guessing whom that smile was truly meant for.
Yet it hardly fazed the couple as they exchanged fleeting glances. The thrill of having a secret just to themselves making the whole even more exhilarating for Jimin. After all, not even Hoseok knew of this relationship.
Yet Colonel Choi did.
Thus, quickly bringing an end to the wordless exchange between her officers.
"The Lee Twins are dead."
Dead silence spread through the room as the meaning behind those words became clearer.
Or did they really?
Hadn't they seen the Lee Twins head off on a mission just this morning?
"Why was I not told?"
Colonel Choi looked over at Namjoon. She could only bite back a small scoff as she took in his no longer smiling expression.
"Are you not being told right now?" She shrugged but Namjoon wouldn't let up.
"I should have known before them!" He tried but only got a hand thrust in his face as an answer.
"Had I wanted a man to talk back to me, I would have gotten married, Captain Kim."
Namjoon bit back an answer as he remembered whom he was talking to. Yet, that in no way stopped Colonel Choi from hearing all the unspoken insults he was throwing at her. She thought of adding another jab at his ego but Chief Jung's voice stopped her.
"B..."
All eyes turned to Hoseok as he tried to speak.
He held a hand to his throat as he tried keeping himself together. Going as far as closing his eyes as he held back tears. However, closing his eyes only made him see Jieun smiling at him this very morning. He had teasingly held up an imaginary camera before sighing that no camera would ever allow him to take a memento of her wherever he went. Nothing would ever manage to replace the woman he loved when they were apart.
"Both of them?" Hoseok managed only for his courage to be trampled by Colonel Choi.
"Are you saying you would have preferred one of them to die over the other?"
Yes.
"I'm..." Hoseok shook his head before raising a hand to his lips.
Maybe.
"No Ma'am." He said sternly as he dropped his hand to his sides.
Colonel Choi gave him one last look before focusing on all of the other remaining members of the team.
"Instead of laughing, keep your heads up. Seven of your comrades are now dead." As though making a point, she held up seven fingers. Making sure that every member took note of them. "Consider yourselves lying in your coffin from now on." Pursing her lips, she looked back at Namjoon. His eyes were focused on the ground but she knew he was hanging to her every word. "Do reflect on that and try laughing again." He did look at her this time but she'd long focused her attention on her officers. "Get back to training. Now."
They all fell into salute and prepared to do as they were told.
All but Mark Tuan.
"Is there any need to prepare for death?"
Dongwoo and Jackson exchanged a look before stepping forward. They made sure to hide Mark and hope that Colonel Choi hadn't heard anything. However, she knew her soldiers' voices better than anyone. As a result, as she spoke, her gaze focused on nothing else but the top of Mark Tuan's head.
"By all means, if I could shoot you myself instead of waiting on the next death announcement." She made sure to pause as she cocked her head to the side. "I would." Mark soon regretted his question but the damage was already done as she clucked her tongue. "However, all I can do is prepare you for survival. Those are my orders. I have to follow them."
Did she perhaps not want to follow them, then?
Before Mark could even speak, Dongwoo made sure to pinch his arm. However, Colonel Choi could only smirk as she clearly felt all of them judging her.
Did she care?
Not one damn bit.
"Any other thoughts you would like to share, officers?" No answer came and she nodded back at them. "Good. Your comrades have died but life goes on." Before turning to leave, she threw Hoseok one last disdainful look. "Be good little soldiers. Not emotional fools."
Hoseok mechanically nodded.
Even when Colonel Kim was long gone.
Even when all of his teammates joined their booths and resumed practice.
All he focused on was the spot in front of him as his hand wrapped around Jieun's necklace, warm around his neck.
Jimin's gaze rested on it as he recalled Hoseok's triumphant expression when he'd deciphered that an engagement necklace was better than an engagement ring for an assassin. Especially for an archer as talented as Jieun.
A single tear rolled down Hoseok's cheek and Jimin fought against his will to wipe it away for him.
He had to be strong.
He had to be stronger than his emotions.
"You know the best thing about living like a ghost?
Her parents don't have to give me their consent if I want to marry her."
He had to.
He had to even if Jieun's voice echoed through his mind. Paired with her infectious giggle as she had blushed. Her brother, Minwoo, simply rolling his eyes as he had called her out as the idiot that she was. All before letting out the exact same giggle as he had looked at Jimin and Hoseok.
Shot after shot, Jimin tried forgetting that special moment.
"Lieutenant." Namjoon whispered as he walked over to Jimin.
Shot after shot, Jimin thought of the heartless fool who handled their lives as though it were a mere game.
"I was really happy when I joined the same unit.
Problem now is that I don't have any female friends.
Though you're Hoseok's best man, could you also be my maid of honor?
I promise it won't tarnish your virility."
Shot after shot, more tears streamed down Jimin's face.
Shot after shot, he obliterated a figure that had long dissolved in nothing but torn black and white paper.
"Jimin."
Shot after shot, he missed his real target.
"Baby, stop it."
Shot after shot, he emptied his cartridge before throwing his gun to the floor. Thus, allowing Namjoon to wrap his arms around his shoulders. Now alone in the training room, he could softly kiss Jimin's temple as he raised a hand to his arm.
"I want him dead."
"I know, baby, I know." Namjoon whispered, his breath warm on Jimin's temple.
"I want him dead, now." Jimin shook his head as he buried his head in Namjoon's arm.
"Not now." Namjoon nodded before softly kissing him once more. "But soon."
That had been the last time Jimin had cried for one of his teammates' death.
That had been the last time he'd believed in the meaning of the word 'soon'.
Soon had changed to Never in Park Jimin's book.
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