Many things happened at the same time.

The hand that had been holding the knife dropped lifelessly, Jungkook lunged forward and rammed the hilt of his scythe into Ponytail's crotch, making him topple over screaming and Namjoon landed right next to you, expression weirdly strained.

You were about to turn and look what happened to the guy holding you hostage, but Jungkook was in front of you within the blink of an eye, dropping his weapon to pin you against him, hand coming up to gently press your head against his shoulder.

"Don't turn around, Chickie." He whispered close to your ear, lips pressed into your hair.

His words made you freeze when realization hit hard. But who-

"You're quite the reckless one, Jeon." Taehyung's voice spoke behind you, sounding worn though he tried really hard to keep his cool.

A third person landed behind you, "Ah, Tae, what a mess." That was Yeji speaking.

"Shut up." The man snapped, "I think I'm gonna throw up."

"Quit being so dramatic." The girl chirped and you heard Taehyung yelp as if someone hit him.

You felt Jungkook let go of you hesitantly, now finally able to see the look on his face. You saw relief, above everything, but also worry.

"Close your eyes, Y/N." Namjoon ordered softly, "I'll help you, come on."

No. Why were you the only one being treated like a little child?

"It's fine." You said, "I'm okay." Though you were shaking when you finally turned.

The sight in front of you was sickening. Taehyung had cut off the man's head cleanly, blood still pooling out of the lifeless body that was laying on the ground in an unnatural pose.

This was way worse than the prowler you killed. This had been a real, feeling and thinking human. Taehyung just killed someone.

"Ew." You managed to choke out, making Jungkook behind you laugh out shortly, before he cleared his throat.

"Uh, sorry." His hand touched your shoulder, "Will you really be okay?"

Probably not, "Yeah."

His unimpressed look told you that he clearly didn't believe you, "Go with Joon. I'll be there in a minute."

"Come on." Namjoon smiled at you warmly, "Let's leave."

___

Jungkook kicked the head, making it roll a few inches away, "Clean cut, gotta give it to you." He mumbled directed at Taehyung.

Latter didn't answer, busy with inspecting the guy whose head Jungkook had smashed into the wall.

"You killed him." Taehyung stated dryly.

"Didn't mean to." Jungkook answers curtly.

"You didn't mean to." Taehyung repeated.

"Used a lil too much force."

"Yeah..." Taehyung dragged slowly, "Clearly."

What was that supposed to mean? Jungkook frowned.

"You were... pretty cute with the girl just now." Taehyung said, clearing his throat, "Didn't expect you to be so, uh, soft."

"Am not." Jungkook grunted, turning around towards the barricaded entrance.

"But you care for her." Taehyung stated.

"Of course I do." What was his point? He was being weird.

The blond hummed, following him inside, "You talk more now."

"Maybe."

Truth was, Jungkook didn't talk much with them at first, because he had no reason to. He didn't trust them a tiny bit.

But now? He'd seen Namjoon worry, he'd seen Taehyung's determination. They'd been ready to risk their lives for Y/N.

"How did you get into this situation in the first place?" The other man poked, "Didn't think either of you would be that careless."

"Uhm." Yeah, Jungkook was 100% aware that this mess was all his fault. Not that he'd tell Taehyung this, "They were pretty good."

Luckily, the other bought it, "Tell me about it." Taehyung sighed, "At least I got to kill the fucker who got me that badly last time." He patted his side, where the large scar was running down. He was quiet for minute, while they crossed the entrance hall, "You remind me of someone I used to know."

Oh.

Jungkook gulped, "You too."

Taehyung nodded. And that was it. Jungkook wasn't sure if that had been Taehyung's way of telling him that he remembered, or if Jungkook genuinely just reminded him of 'someone he used to know'. He was scared of picking further.

They climbed up the stairs in awkward silence, promptly walking in on a shirtless Y/N and a fussing Seokjin.

"JESUS CHRIST GUYS LEARN HOW TO KNOCK!" The black haired man threw up his arms exasperated and Taehyung whipped around shocked, facing the wall with a bright red face.

Jungkook snickered and walked past Seokjin with lowered gaze, towards the girl that was still covered in blood - someone else's blood.

"Jungkook-" Jin looked at him scandalized, earning a questioning gaze from the younger.

"What?" He gestured towards the half-naked girl, "She's all gross and dirty."

"No shit." She looked at him dryly, arms crossed in front of her chest, "Seokjin was about to help me clean up." She paused, "Which is why I'm shirtless."

"Where are your manners, Jungkook?" Jin grumbled, while handing her a wet towel.

"Oi, I didn't look at nothing old man!" Jungkook yelled, crossing his arms, "Nothin' I haven't seen yet anyways."

"Jungkook." Jin was really starting to get on his nerves.

"It's fine, Seokjin." Y/N laughed while rubbing her hair with the towel, grimacing at the thought of the blood stuck in it, "Jungkook and I have been together long enough. Plus he's not really ashamed of anything, so don't even try."

"Yeah, but still-" Jin handed her a new shirt, "He could at least act as if he's trying preserve your dignity."

"Y'all are acting as if I'm some kinda perv- wait that's my shirt!"

"Not anymore." She threw her towel at his face, "Pervert."

"OI-"

____

It was cold on the large terrace of the building, wind biting and unforgiving. The hot bowl of soup and blankets around you were barely enough to keep you warm.

"Why didn't you want to eat with the others?" You asked your companion, who was sitting next to you silently, looking over the frozen streets of an abandoned Seoul.

"Wanted you for myself a little, I guess." He grumbled, shoveling a spoonful into his mouth.

You breathed out a laugh, "You really can't stand anyone, huh?"

"No, they're alright." Jungkook admitted reluctantly.

"Oh?"

"They were pretty cool today."

"Can't believe you just said that." You said, blowing against your hot soup calmly, "I'm mind blown."

"Will you be okay after what happened?" Jungkook switched the topic.

"I- hm." You shrugged, "I'll admit that was pretty gross. I think I almost threw up. Yeah."

"If you- if anything makes you feel... stressed. Come to me 'kay? I know what it's like."

I know what it's like.

How could he know? Why had he been able to stay so calm? Even Taehyung had felt sick. You pushed the accumulating thoughts to the back of your head, like so often lately. You shouldn't want to know.

"To think that this day started with a stupid Christmas present." You snorted, "Though it's probably not even Christmas."

"Ah, right." Jungkook sighed frustrated, placing his soup bowl aside, "I completely forgot about that. Man, I really wanted to get you something."

"That's sweet but I told you, you don't need to." You waved it off, when Jungkook turned towards you.

"I told ya what I think about that." He denied, disgruntled look on his face, before his expression softened. Without a warning, he leaned into your space and cocked his head slightly, placing a fleeting kiss on the corner of your lips. His lips felt hot in contrast to the piercing cold out here. "Merry Christmas." He whispered, before leaning back again and taking his only half empty bowl into his hands.

You were like frozen solid for a second, staring into distance with wide eyes, before you caught yourself again and cleared your throat embarrassed, "Yeah, uh, thanks."

What the hell was that just now?

You eyed Jungkook warily, who seemed very much unaffected with his soup and blankets.

"You guys better get inside." Seokjin startled the shit out of you when his head appeared in the door, Jungkook merely turning his head, "I think it's gonna start snowing."

At this point you could as well let yourself get buried in acidic snow.

___