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Chapter Text

 SEPTEMBER 6th

   When Jungkook woke up the next morning he was groggy and tired still, like he hadn’t slept all night. He rolled over and opened his eyes a crack, expecting to see the elder but instead was met with air. The other side of the bed was empty and Namjoon was gone. For a split second the younger was afraid Namjoon had gone off in a fit of despair and done something stupid and dangerous that would affect both him and The Monster. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing them both so suddenly. His panic only lasted a moment before he smelled the familiar and wonderful scent of bacon drifting through the crack in the slightly ajar bedroom door and relief flooded though him.

   He was careful getting up, noting with satisfaction that the pain in his backside was not quite as fresh anymore. It was a low and subtle ache now, thank the heavens. He made his way slowly through the doorway and into the apartment, yawning and rubbing the sleep and crust from his eyes.

   Namjoon was indeed making breakfast in the kitchen. There was bacon sizzling over the left element and eggs on the right and the smell was absolutely delightful. Jungkook’s stomach churned and it reminded him of how long it had been since they’d eaten anything. They’d been planning on ordering a pizza to celebrate last night but then the call had happened and.... well, needless to say food hadn’t been a priority after their reason to celebrate had been yanked away. All that sat in his stomach now was the vague remains of cake when he burped.

   Jungkook padded slowly towards the kitchen, wary of spooking Namjoon, especially in his fragile condition. He was planning on stepping into Namjoon’s field of vision before speaking but he was still a few steps away when the elder spoke, startling Jungkook instead.

   “Good morning.”

   Jungkook paused, surprised that Namjoon was still as aware of his surroundings as ever. Maybe some things never changed. He made the last few steps forward and nodded at Namjoon. “Good morning,” he echoed softly.

   Namjoon didn’t look up from the food nor did his face seem to change. He continued poking at the bacon and eggs. He looked... okay. Jungkook was confused. Last night Namjoon had been destroyed by Seokjin’s death. The younger had been sure he’d wake up to find a depressed and vulnerable Namjoon, perhaps sobbing into a carton of ice cream or watching sad movies in the living room, curled up on the couch with a blanket and probably sobbing into ice cream then too. The man in front of him right now looked no more upset than if he’d stepped in a puddle or been a few minutes late to work. Why did he seem so unaffected suddenly?

   “How are you feeling?” Jungkook asked tentatively. He wasn’t sure what answer he wanted to hear, so long as it was honest.

   “Fine,” the elder responded politely.

   Jungkook waited for him to elaborate but he said nothing else. “Fine?”

   “Yes, fine.” Namjoon turned the element off and began plating their food and carrying it to the living room, all without returning Jungkook’s gaze. He showed no signs of grief or any emotion. It was more than a little confusing for Jungkook.

   He wasn’t good with feelings. He had understood enough to get by in school, although that was mostly due to the fact that Jace’s emotions had consisted almost entirely of lust and anger. It had been easy to avoid probing deeper with any of his “friends” by changing the topic of conversation or making a crude joke. As such he was pretty lost right now.

   He was new to this whole “caring” thing. He’d managed fine yesterday, when Namjoon had needed him so desperately; It had been almost instinct then. He knew most people wanted to be held when they were sad, knew they wanted to hear kind words and be told everything would be fine even if it wasn’t. That much he could do. This... this was completely out of his depth. He had no idea if Namjoon was just pretending to be okay or if maybe he was happy Seokjin wasn’t in pain anymore or if he thought he’d moved on to a better place: the younger just didn’t. know.

   He followed the elder to the living area and thanked him when he handed Jungkook his food. They ate in silence. Jungkook nibbled on his bacon and subtly watched the other for any signs of, well, anything: a sniffle, a sigh, some sign he wasn’t as okay as he was trying to look.

   After a few minutes Namjoon sighed tiredly and looked up at him. “Yes?”

   “Nothing,” Jungkook said immediately, swallowing his toast past the lump in his throat when Namjoon gave him a look saying he didn’t believe that one bit. “It’s just...” He chewed thoughtfully on his lip, trying to figure out a way to bring up the subject without upsetting the elder.

   “Just what?” Namjoon prodded.

   “Just, well, you seem okay now but last night you really weren’t and I was just wondering...” He wasn’t sure exactly what he was wondering if he was being honest with himself. He just wanted to know what the elder was thinking.

   Namjoon shrugged, going back to stabbing at the eggs on his plate and bringing a fork full up to his mouth. “I had time,” he said between bites.

   Jungkook didn’t know much about the grieving process but he was pretty fucking sure it took a whole lot longer than one night’s sleep. “You mean you got over it in a few hours?”

   “No,” Namjoon said with a shake of his head. “Not over it but I know he wouldn’t want me to be sad so I’m trying not to be.” He said it as confidently as normal but his exterior cracked and for just a second Jungkook could see the pain behind his eyes again. He blinked and it was gone. “I just want to move on and do the best for Seokjin that I can.”

   “Alright,” Jungkook responded carefully. That was a fair reason. He wasn’t sure if that was what was actually best or not but who was he to argue? Ultimately It was Namjoon’s decision and if this was how he wanted to cope then Jungkook could only support him through it (or at least not berate him).

   He expected the elder to call in to work for the day but a few minutes later he left to get ready as usual.

   “Are you sure?” The younger asked for the third time as he watched Namjoon brush his teeth.

   “Yes,” the elder said for the third time. He spit into the sink and rinsed his mouth out with water, gargling it in a way that would usually have gotten on Jungkook’s nerves if he hadn’t already been walking on eggshells for the elder.

   “I need the distraction,” he said, turning back to pat Jungkook’s shoulder before moving past him.

   Jungkook wanted to argue but he felt like at this point, after asking three fucking times, that if Namjoon wanted to change his mind or talk to Jungkook about it he would have.

   “I’ll be home at the usual time,” he told the younger as he pulled his shoes on. He said goodbye, managing a small but forced smile before closing the door behind him. It wasn’t much in the way of getting better but Jungkook still considered it a victory, albeit a small one. From that moment on he let the issue drop. He felt like a nagging wife and Namjoon clearly wanted to work through this himself. If he needed to talk he would tell Jungkook. Hopefully.

   As the days passed Namjoon continued his relative silent treatment. He said good morning and good night and made polite conversation but the subject of Seokjin wasn’t bought up again.

   The Monster was much more talkative. He worked more and more with Jungkook, running through what he’d taught the younger and quizzing him regularly and without warning. Sometimes he’d wake Jungkook up in the middle of the night and the younger’s sleep addled brain would struggle to find the words to describe the difference between stainless steel and carbon steel tactical knives. It was like Jungkook was in school again. The only difference was this time he wanted to get the answers right. He stored every detail from The Monster deep inside of his memory and ran through them whenever he had time. He knew that both their lives could literally hang in the balance so he took it none too lightly.

   His backside no longer stung and the wound on his head was almost completely healed. Namjoon had cleaned and applied new bandages to it every day, diligently making sure it got better as quickly as possible. Jungkook probably could have done it himself but he still felt guilty for worrying the elder before and with Seokjin’s death still fresh in his mind he bit down his own pride and played the good little patient. If it would help Namjoon feel better to help him then so be it.

   The Monster finally showed Jungkook the first floor of his apartment. He’d forgotten about its existence entirely until the elder brought it up. As he followed him down the stairs he wondered what would be behind the door. Maybe it was a replica of an operating room that he used to kill his prey? Or perhaps it was one giant weapons locker, filled with shelves and shelves of knives and daggers, swords and various other assorted blades. It could even have been a trophy room where he kept mementos from his victims, though he had never mentioned anything to Jungkook. His mind ran wild with the possibilities.

   But when The Monster led him through the thick, metal door it wasn’t what Jungkook had thought it would be. He’d expected all types of slaughter-eques rooms straight out of a horror movie; Instead it was just a giant storage room, full of neatly stacked boxes and closed cabinets, save for one corner where there was a desk on the far wall, a hanging light casting the rest of the room in shadow. He led Jungkook there, gesturing for him to sit in one of the two office chairs provided. Jungkook did so, wondering idly if the elder had added a second chair just for him.

   The bright fluorescent light above them cast half of the elder’s face in shadow and gave him a sinister appearance that only added to Jungkook’s already building anticipation. He waited patiently (mostly) for the elder to say whatever was on his mind.

   “I know you still have some unanswered questions. You’ve been incredibly patient so far and I feel you’ve earned the right to be told everything so go ahead: ask any question and I will tell you what you want to know.”

   “Really?” Jungkook didn’t bother hiding his surprise or eagerness. He sat up straight, eyes wide with excitement and waited for the elder to reply and tell him he was serious. Everything had led to this moment. He was going to take the final step.

   “Yes, really.” The Monster leaned forward, elbows laid on his thighs and intertwining his hands, looking at Jungkook with a warm sense of approval. “I’ve taught you everything I can as far as how I do it. Now is time you learned why.”

   The younger’s heart sped up; he could feel it thumping inside his chest like a jack rabbit. “Please,” he requested, somewhat desperately. He didn’t mean to sound so but he’d been waiting so long already for this exact moment that he didn’t even care anymore.

   The elder leaned back into his chair and stared down at Jungkook, eyes reflecting a similar yearning like the younger felt right now. He wondered what it was that The Monster wanted right now and his train of thought went slightly off track. The barest stirring in Jungkook’s loins had him shifting in his seat as he told himself not here, not now. “What would you like to know first,” He asked slowly, the words lingering in the air between them.

   Jungkook chewed on his lower lip, thinking of what he still didn’t know. Why did Namjoon choose his prey? Where did The Monster take them to kill them? Why did he do it every two weeks and not more or less? He had so many, enough that he could probably interview the elder and write his autobiography. The actual specifics of The Monster’s kills hadn’t yet been revealed to him. Out of the many one was tugging at Jungkook’s curiosity more than the rest. “How does Namjoon pick the prey? Why does he do it? I though he was against you killing.”

   “Ah,” The Monster hummed, crossing his legs and tapping his chin. “I don’t believe I’ve ever told you that full story. You recall my first kill, yes? The one I tossed in the river?” Jungkook nodded. “Well, after that Namjoon wanted us to turn ourselves in. You see I had never come out before that. Namjoon had kept me locked away very well. With Seokjin’s help,” he added.

   “He was quite intent on going to the police. He was positive heaven nor hell could stop him from ‘making it right.’ Until I reminded him of Seokjin, that is. Who’s going to look after him if you’re in prison? It didn’t take long to change his mind after that.”

   “Ah.” Jungkook understood now. He had wondered why Namjoon let The Monster carry on killing when he was so clearly opposed to murder but bring Seokjin into the equation and things changed. Namjoon was, had been, unfailingly loyal to the man. He had said he wasn’t going to leave Seokjin alone; Being in prison would definitely put an end to his visits. “So he didn’t turn you in but what about him choosing for you? I don’t understand.”

   “Since he wasn’t going to be turning me in and he knew I wasn’t going to stop, not after I’d had the first taste, we came up with a system.” The Monster opened a drawer in the desk and pulled out a stack of manila folders. He tossed them onto Jungkook’s lap and the younger had to scramble to keep them from falling onto the floor. “Take a look.”

   Jungkook gave him a curious look but opened the top folder anyway. “Oh,” he exhaled softly.

   It was her, the first and only body Jungkook had actually seen. It was a blurry photo, taken with a cell phone or something but it was definitely her. His eyes lingered on hers, feeling the emotions from that night rush back with a startling strength: the awe, the confusion and desire, the hunger. The picture was curling at the edges where his fingers clutched it too tightly and he took a deep breath as he loosened his grip.

   There was more behind the photo. He (reluctantly) moved the photo away to see the small stack of papers behind it. There were all sorts of documents: a handwritten list of the places she’d been and people she’d seen, a list of phone numbers, detailed notes on her habits.

   He pulled one piece out, holding it under the light to see it more carefully. “ Is this... a blueprint of her hotel?” Namjoon nodded. “Wow. How’d you get it?”

   “You’d be surprised by how many things are public record, especially older buildings. It used to be a civil servants centre. It might have been repurposed as a hotel but the base structure remained the same.”

   “Wow,” Jungkook repeated. The Monster had told him about his research, obviously, but he hadn’t grasped just how in depth it was. He was once again struck by The Monster’s meticulous attention to detail. No wonder he was so good at not getting caught. With as much research and notes he did he could probably get to anyone.

   “You still haven’t told me how he chooses though.”

   “Ah,” The Monster said with a reserved sigh. “That is a much more boring story. I’m afraid it’s as simple as him choosing bad people. Cliché, I know,” he added with another sigh, “but in the end we agreed it would be his decision.”

   “That sounds very much like Namjoon,” he muttered.

   The elder laughed harshly. “Yes, it does. I don’t know how he can stand to be so boring.”

   Jungkook ignored the last comment because he did not want to deal with an upset Namjoon right now. Instead he went back to the task at hand which was figuring out as much as he could right now. “So what did they do?”

   “This and that,” The Monster waved his hand in disregard. “I’m assuming you want to know what the woman you saw did, hmm?” Jungkook nodded his head enthusiastically and The Monster chuckled lightly. “So eager. Yes, she did something not-so-nice. I assume you read about her daughter, yes?”

   “Yeah. She was sick, right? Cerebral Palsy?”

   “Yes,” The Monster confirmed. “The woman I killed, her mother, was planning on leaving the husband and daughter for a lover. She would have taken all the money and left the father unable to take care of his own bills, let alone the hospital ones. That is why Namjoon chose her.”

   “But how did he know?” Jungkook rolled his chair closer, intent on hearing every detail on the night’s conversation.

   “She stopped in the hospital to speak to a specialist here and spoke to her lover on the phone. It is my understanding the husband set the appointment up. She needed to keep up appearances until she set the paperwork in motion, I’m assuming.”

   His nose turned up at the thought. He knew The Monster- well, actually he didn’t know exactly what The Monster felt about kids but Jungkook thought the idea of someone doing that was despicable. That was just him and he was about to become a serial killer. For someone like Namjoon, who had a naturally kind heart, it made sense that if he had to choose someone to die he’d choose someone who hurt others.

   “Is that why he chooses? To make sure it’s “bad” people?”

   “Precisely,” Namjoon spoke. “Like I said, so long as I’m the one to end their lives I really don’t care why.”

   He thought about what it must be like for The Monster, to actually draw the blade back. He imagined his prey, helpless and begging for mercy and The Monster standing above them, smile glinting dangerously off of a shiny silver blade. He drew himself up, sitting straight and took a deep breath, making one hundred percent sure he was ready to say what he was about to. “I want to come with you this time. I’m ready. I don’t want to just hear about it anymore; I want to be a part of it.”

   The Monster regarded him seriously at first, eyes staring holes into him and then he smiled, small at first until it reached his eyes and his dimples were showing. “I believe you’re ready too. Jungkook, my dear, we’ve got quite the night ahead of us tomorrow.”

   Jungkook’s brow furrowed as he did the mental math. Tomorrow wasn’t right. It had only been eight days since the last time. “Tomorrow? But you always do it two weeks apart. Tomorrow is too soon.”

   “We’re mixing things up,” the elder said as he swivelled his chair. “It will keep the cops on their toes, so to speak.”

   “But will we be ready?” Jungkook hadn’t noticed The Monster doing any research and while they weren’t together 24/7 he was still around the elder enough that he couldn’t have done much without him noticing.

   The elder merely shrugged and gave him a heart-stoppingly impish grin that made Jungkook’s heart thump faster in his chest. “Do not worry. I have it covered. All you need to do is come along and enjoy the ride.”

   He leaned back in his chair and spread his legs a fraction and if not for the promise Jungkook had made to Namjoon about one week of celibacy he would jump the elder right there and then. He held back out of respect. Originally he’d agreed because Namjoon had been worried about his physical state. While he felt fit as a fiddle right now the elder was dealing with too many things right now for Jungkook to add disappointing him to the stack so he held the desire back. Instead he focused on the fact that all his effort was about to finally pay off and his dreams would stop being just that and become reality.

   They went their separate ways for bed, with Jungkook still sleeping in the bedroom despite his protests. He really was feeling well enough to take the couch but The Monster had insisted. “I want you well rested,” he’d purred.

   Jungkook had to stifle a moan at the silkiness of the elders words. He wanted so bad.... No, he told himself with a shake of his head. He had promised Namjoon and to fuck if he was going to break that. So he curled up in the bed on his own and tried to remind himself how important it was to be supportive of Namjoon right now. Namjoon’s welfare = The Monster’s welfare.

   He repeated the fact over and over until the urge to get up and join the other man on the couch was barely there. Still.. He’d only promised not to have sex; that didn’t mean he couldn’t he take care of himself.

   His hand slipped under the covers and beneath his waistband and he licked his lips. He was already half hard from his own imagination so it didn’t take long before his erection was full and throbbing in his palm. His breath came out in little pants as he jacked himself off rough and quick. Images of his night with The Monster filled his head and heightened the pleasure until he was so close. He rocked his hips into his hands and the slightest twinge of pain from his backside sent him over the edge. He sucked in a shuddering breath and bit down on his lip to hold in the moan that almost escaped as he threw his head back and rode out this euphoria.

   Once it had faded to a pleasant buzz atop his skin he tugged his pyjama pants off. He used the clean parts to wipe himself off and threw the soiled bottoms off the side of the bed. He let out a long and steady breath and curled back under the blankets. It wasn’t as good as The Monster, not by a long shot but it was enough to keep him from breaking his promise.

   He felt sleepy now that he’d released some of his pent up tension. He pulled the blanket up to his chin, yawned widely, and closed his eyes, allowing sleep to take him before the endorphins wore off and he could think too much about tomorrow.

   SEPTEMBER 7TH

   Jungkook woke up to The Monster’s lips on his. He hummed his agreement and sleepily wrapped his arms around the elder to pull him down. He wasn’t expecting the elder to allow him but none the less his weight came down to rest half on top of Jungkook, his arm braced next to the younger’s head.

   “Good morning,” he spoke softly into Jungkook’s lips, pulling away to mouth at his jaw.

   “Definitely,” Jungkook responded, a little breathily from the way elder’s tongue and teeth were suddenly working on his neck. He snaked his leg out from beneath the blanket and wrapped it around The Monster’s ankle, slotting them more firmly together. “Can you wake me up like this every time?”

   “Mmm,” The Monster hummed. His hand came down to grip Jungkook’s leg, his long, slender fingers wrapping around the younger’s thigh and making his breath hitch. “Although it seems you don’t need me for that.” He pulled back to smirk at the younger as his hand travelled upwards, gripping Jungkook’s bare hip and squeezing. “Correct me if I’m wrong but you were wearing those sleep pants yesterday, right?” He gestured with his head to the floor and the soiled pair of cotton pyjamas.

   Jungkook almost blushed but it was hard to be embarrassed when The Monster’s fingers were kneading slowly into his ass and he looked like he wanted to devour Jungkook right then and there. “It’s better with you,” he responded quietly and pulled the elder back down.

   The Monster complied, pressing his plush lips to Jungkook’s and licking his way into the younger’s mouth. He tasted of toothpaste and mouthwash, with the faintest traces of orange juice beneath it all. It made Jungkook dizzy with desire, although when didn’t it? Everything the elder did turned him on and made him want to seal their lips together in an unending kiss. Well, not unending because there were plenty of other things he wanted to use their mouths for. Speaking of...

   He pulled away from the elder, looking up into his now murky brown eyes. “I want to suck you off,” he stated matter-of-factly.

   The Monster raised an eyebrow, giving him a puzzled look. “Really?”

   Jungkook nodded and pushed on the Monster’s chest so that he would sit up. “Yes, so move.” The Monster didn’t move an inch. “What? You don’t want me to?"

   “Believe me, I would very much enjoy that,” he spoke, his eyes lingering on Jungkook’s mouth before reluctantly meeting his gaze. “But Namjoon is going to be late to work if we don’t leave now and we can’t afford any extra eyes on us today.”

   Jungkook groaned. “Cockblock,” he muttered. “Fine,” he said louder. “Go then.”

   The elder brought their lips together one last time, nipping and tugging on Jungkook’s lower lip with his teeth as he pulled away. “There will be more chances, little one. Of that I can assure you.”

   “Just go,” Jungkook sighed as The Monster stood up. “I need to study anyway.”

   “Learn well,” he said with a wink before he left. Jungkook watched him go and tried to will his erection away. He really did need to study up for tonight.

   The Monster had left the information he had on the coffee table the night before so that Jungkook could make himself familiar with their, and his first, prey. It was a detailed sheet of information on them: everything from where he liked to go to how often he was late on his bills. He had no idea how they got the information but it was extremely helpful. While the elder was still taking point Jungkook couldn’t walk in blind. He’d never forgive himself if he messed something up and got The Monster or Namjoon in trouble. Or worse.

   He spent the whole day while Namjoon was at work preparing. By the time Namjoon came home and he could see The Monster he had it all memorised. The latter quizzed him, incredibly pleased when he didn’t get a single fact wrong.

   “You were born for this,” The Monster praised. He pulled Jungkook to him, capturing his lips in a bruising kiss that left Jungkook a little breathless and very turned on when the elder finally let go. If they weren’t about to prepare for Jungkook’s first kill he would throw himself on the elder right there.

   They were waiting for nightfall so Jungkook used the time to ask for a complete rundown of the plan before they left. He still didn’t know all the details of what was supposed to happen tonight.

   “The prey is recently out of jail. He’s staying with his sister until he can find a place of his own. She’s supposed to be out tonight so we’ll move in, grab him and bring him with us to the warehouse.”

   “And that’s where you bring them to kill them, a warehouse? Isn’t that a bit too... cliché?

   The elder smirked and brought his pointer finger to cover his dimple while resting his chin between his thumb and forefinger, looking quite pleased with himself. “That is precisely why it’s so brilliant. One of the first things police check into for things like this is empty warehouses and private properties. I don’t own this warehouse but I know who does: A semi-wealthy businessman who came in for an emergency appendectomy. He had plans for it but they fell through and he’s too busy with his other properties right now to create a new development plan. He’s not going to sell so for now it’s empty. I know the maintenance schedule and when it will and will not be empty.”

   Screw James Bond and Jason Bourne; the world needed The Monster saving it. “How did you figure that all out?”

   “Because while Namjoon might be the most unassuming individual to ever harbour a serial killer beneath his skin he also has impeccable hearing and a tendency to go unnoticed by most. He doesn’t even need to pay full attention to the prey. He can go about his work while I listen. It makes it very easy to get what we need.”

   “You really do have it all figured out. I’m impressed,” Jungkook praised. The system was so perfect. If Namjoon didn’t look like he was paying attention then clearly no one would think otherwise. After all, how could they know there was someone else inside his head? All Namjoon had to do was keep his head down and do his job and The Monster could take care of the rest. It was incredible.

   There was one other thing that he was curious about though. “Why not just kill them at their house? Doesn’t that eliminate the danger of trying to transport them before the kill?” It seemed like the risk of moving a victim across town wasn’t worth it when there were easier ways.

   “Alright,” The Monster agreed. “Let’s say you decide to do that. What happens if you kill them in their home and a family member comes home or a visitor unexpectedly arrives? What then?”

   “But what are the odds that happens if you research properly?”

   The Monster sighed and folded his hands in front of him. “We don’t deal in odds Jungkook. We need absolutes. You can’t perform a kill anywhere if you don’t know all the variables. It makes it too dangerous. Yes, moving them while they’re alive is a small risk but going into any situation that could flip on you at any moment is a bigger risk.”

   “You plan everything down to the letter, don’t you?”

   “You need to when you do this, when you’re killing. There’s no button to go back if you make a mistake. If you screw up and leave too much evidence you will be caught. There are some messes that can’t be cleaned up.”

   The lump in Jungkook’s throat at the very idea of messing up and getting the Monster caught was almost too big to swallow past. He had faith in the elder to keep them safe but not as much in himself should he slip in The Monster’s teachings. He knew everything backwards and forwards, fucking upside down but as the elder kept drilling into him: Things change. Always be prepared to adapt. Whether that meant taking another approach or knowing when to bail out of a sticky situation, both were crucial to remember. And so The Monster quizzed him, again and again, over and over.

   What’s the address? 783 South 5th avenue. How many points of entry and exit? Five windows on the bottom floor and three doors, one that leads to the basement and two to the main floor. Where will we come from? Enter through the basement door and make our way up to the main floor. What do you do first? Cut the phone lines and set up the radio jammer before we enter and make sure we get to our prey before they can reach an exit. Wrong, first you make sure the house is empty save for the prey and then you cut the phone lines and go in.

   By the end of it all Jungkook’s head was spinning, not from confusion or exhaustion but from the sheer amount of information repeating itself in his mind. He could go over it sixty more times if he wanted but he wouldn’t know it better then he already did. He was ready. There was no more preparing or waiting now. Night had begun to fall and it was time.

   They started by switching Namjoon’s license plate to a fake. He had a shoebox full of dummy plates, all carefully chosen to be as diverse as possible. Next was loading the vehicle, currently pulled into the small garage at the back of the building that Jungkook hadn’t even seen before.

   “Is this why you guys live here? Because you don’t have to have anyone else in the building being snoopy?”

   “Of course,” The Monster responded as he carefully tucked the plastic sheeting and rolls of tape into the vehicle. “I can’t have people watching me load a car full of knives and duct tape, now can I?”

   “Probably best not to. No,” Jungkook agreed. He handed the elder the last box of gloves and stood back as he slammed the trunk shut. They had everything they needed to complete the kill and clean the crime scene. All that was left now was to do it.

   Their prey lived in the Garment District, conveniently one of the neighbourhoods in Manhattan with the highest rates of crime. Everyone was suspicious in some way so they should blend in easy enough (if they were seen). They knew the house and knew where to park without being seen and avoiding the security cameras along the streets, knew when the prey’s sister would be leaving and for how long (Jungkook still didn’t understand how The Monster figured that bit out) and had all the supplies to carefully and quietly get the actual prey out of the house and into their vehicle. Everything was figured out and they had more than one contingency plan. Nothing could be left to chance.

   He was strangely calm on the drive there. His nerves had been haywire all day but the moment he stepped into the vehicle his heart rate slowed and his head cleared. He hadn’t been nervous per se but the excitement had wreaked similar havoc on him while waiting in the apartment. Now that he was going to the kill, and they were doing it, not preparing, everything quieted down to a whisper inside of him. He could still feel the anticipation and desire but rather than an open flame boiling in his blood it was more like a coil, transferring and moving the heat through his body like fuel. He could feel it there, licking at the edge of his subconscious, reminding him of what he couldn’t forget: life and death were the only absolutes and only one was permanent. True power came from taking life, not giving it.

   “We’re almost there,” The Monster spoke softly. He turned his head to Jungkook, watching the younger’s reaction to his words.

   “Good,” Jungkook answered truthfully.

   The elder turned his head back to the road but his attention remained on Jungkook. “How are you feeling?”

   “Well,” the younger carefully began, analysing his feelings. “I’m not sure how to describe it exactly.”

   “Nervous maybe?”

   Jungkook shook his head. “Not nervous. I’m... looking forward to it. I’m excited but at the same time I don’t feel it, like it’s something I’ve done before.”

   He turned to The Monster just in time to see the elder crack a wide smile. Without looking away from the road he reached over and grabbed Jungkook’s knee, giving it a solid squeeze. “You’re going to be a natural.” Jungkook swelled with pride at The Monster’s commendation. He wanted the elder to be proud of him. He hoped he would live up to it.

   They parked in the same spot they had agreed upon, behind the house, hidden just on the other side of a rundown tool shed. They crouched behind some bushes in the alley between the streets and waited. It was quiet. Their position was a good vantage point between the back door and the driveway, so they could see through the fence when their prey’s sister rounded the house and got into her car and left almost twenty minutes later.

   The Monster turned to Jungkook and nodded once. The younger moved around the bushes to the grey metal box hidden behind them. He lifted the panel, taking a pair of wire cutters out of his sweater pocket. The Monster had told him what the phone line would look like and left cutting it up to him. The security system installed in the house was relatively rudimentary but had some safe guards in place, like the fact that if the wrong wire was cut the silent alarm would go off and alert the authorities.

   The Monster was leaving this up to Jungkook, not even bothering to check if he chose the right one before cutting. The amount of trust he was placing in the younger was astonishing. Instead of putting pressure on Jungkook it gave him the confidence he needed to squash the fear his irrational mind wanted to project on him. The Monster was smart: he wouldn’t give Jungkook this task if he didn’t know the younger could do it.

   He held the wire between his fingers, positioned it between the blades and snipped, holding his breath. If it was the wrong wire the only way to know was to wait for the small LED light in the bottom right to go off. If it stayed dark then it was the right one he’d cut and they were home free.

   Five seconds. His heart was beating steadily in his chest, a consistent ba-dump, ba-dump. Four seconds. His eyes didn’t leave the small plastic covering or blink.

   Three seconds.

   Two seconds.

   One second.

   Nothing. Jungkook let the air out of his lungs and placed the panel back over the box. He made his way back to the elder, giving him a thumbs up when they were close enough to see each other.

   “Good job,” The Monster whispered. He gestured to the house. Jungkook nodded his understanding and followed as the elder hopped the fence. When they were both over they began the creep to the house, staying in the shadow of the five foot fence. It ran along the entire back and sides of the house so it was easy to reach the house. Now came the tricky part.

   The plan was to go in through the basement door but that only worked if it was left unlocked. The Monster said they rarely locked up but the pair couldn’t be certain ahead of time. They just hade to hope the prey and his sister forgot about it more often than they remembered.

   The Monster motioned for him to wait as he crept forward. The way he sunk into the shadows and moved between them was like the monsters Jungkook had heard stories about growing up. He’d never been afraid of them like the other kids. While his classmates had been begging their parents to check under their bed and in the closet Jungkook had done it himself, disappointed when there was nothing there. Maybe he hadn’t been afraid because somewhere, deep inside, he’d known he would become a monster too one day.

   The Monster reached out, a black gloved hand coming out of the darkness, and grabbed the doorknob. He twisted. It didn’t budge. Jungkook cursed under his breath. They had back up plans but they were more complicated and definitely more dangerous. The back door was still well hidden and they could avoid anyone seeing them enter but there were no windows nearby to check whether their prey was near enough to hear. The front door was much more exposed but they would be able to see through the glass whether it was clear or not. Both had their own dangers.

   He watched as The Monster jogged quietly back through the shadows to where Jungkook was waiting. “What now?”

   The elder paused, eyeing Jungkook carefully. “What do you think?” He asked in a low voice.

   Weigh the risks, Jungkook told himself. The back door was a gamble because they could lose the element of surprise and things could get messy. The front door was risky because if they were seen someone could call the cops. Even if they got out before cops showed up their descriptions could be given and they would be fucked.

   He looked behind The Monster, studying the building. “What about that?” The elder followed his finger, pointing past the back door and to a higher than average window near the corner of the house. “It’s probably not locked since you can’t reach it by yourself. We could just take a peek around the side windows to make sure he’s not in there and then you could lift me up.”

   “And how exactly am I to get in?”

   “I can sneak around and open the back door for you,” Jungkook whispered quickly, a plan forming in his head too easily, and he began moving around the house.

   “Wait,” The Monster hissed. He grabbed Jungkook’s arm and yanked him back, bringing their faces close together as he spoke. “What if you get up there and he’s between you and the back door? If you’re trapped in there I can’t help you!”

   “I’ll be fine,” the younger insisted. He removed The Monsters hand from him and placed his own on the elder’s shoulder. He wanted to prove just how sure he really was. He knew he would be okay. “I’ve learned a lot from you. I’m not going to mess this up. I promise. What better option do we have?”

   The Monster seemed to debate that, finally nodding his head solemnly. “Okay, you’re right. I know there aren’t a lot of options. But,” he said as Jungkook moved to turn away, “We do this my way.”

   His way meant him checking personally that their prey was not in a position to endanger Jungkook before allowing the younger to continue with his plan.

   “Okay,” he whispered as he came back around the house. “He’s watching TV in the living room. You’re good to go.”

   They positioned themselves beneath the window, with Jungkook’s hands on The Monster’s shoulders and his foot on the elder’s knee. “Ready,” he said quietly. As the elder lifted him, hands bracing Jungkook’s hips, the younger reached up and grabbed onto the window sill. He hauled himself up, using his knee for leverage to pull himself onto the narrow ledge.

   If the window was locked they were out of luck and would have to choose one of the riskier plans. Jungkook prayed to anything and everything that it wasn’t as he dug his fingers under the wooden frame and slowly pushed up.

   It moved.

   If he wasn’t in the middle of a secret break in he would have whooped but as it was he only let out a quiet but relieved breath. He pushed the window all the way up, grinning down at The Monster once before sliding through the open frame.

   He stayed perched on the frame as his eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room. From what he could make out it looked like a bedroom with the actual bed placed conveniently beneath the window. It seemed like luck was on his side tonight. He lowered himself down, letting go of the window and dropped onto the bed.

   Creeaaak.

   His heart stopped and his blood pounded so loudly in his ears it was impossible to hear anything past it. It hadn’t been that loud but any noise was dangerous now. If there had been a break between commercials or a quiet moment on the TV their prey could have heard him. He held his breath and counted the seconds. The muffled sounds of the television leaked under the door. He strained his ears to search for footsteps accompanying them.

   Three minutes later and nothing had happened. He exhaled heavily (but quietly) and carefully removed himself from the bed. The floor was carpeted and swallowed his foot falls as he tiptoed to the door. According to The Monster the hallway he would exit into was relatively short. The first door to the left was a bathroom and the one directly after that was the kitchen with the living room directly across from it. The living room had a partial partition so if he was quiet he could sneak to the back door and let the elder in without their prey seeing them.

   His fingers wrapped around the door knob and he slowly twisted it open. Every click of its turning felt as loud as a gunshot in his ears. He sent up another prayer that the hallway would be empty. The last click and the door cracked open a centimetre. He carefully pulled it further back and light spilled into the room. Now he could see the ugly orange of the walls, the stains and cigarette burns in the rug beneath him.

   He took a few deep breaths, pulling in as much courage as he could before he peeked a fraction around the doorway. He was met with nothing but an empty hallway and smiled. This wasn’t as difficult as The Monster had made it out to be. He was about to take a step forward when he paused, seeing the hardwood floor beneath him. It would be much harder to stay quiet if his boots were clunking down on wood. He quickly slipped his boots off and placed them in the room behind him, hidden in the shadows just in case.

   He slowly crept down the hallway in his socks, listening intently for movement beyond the laughter on the TV. There was nothing but the commentary of some talk show host, going on about the dangers of plastic surgery. Maybe their prey had fallen asleep. He doubted it would actually be that easy but he could dream.

   He could see the kitchen at the end of the hall now to his left. The lights of the television flickered across it, reminding Jungkook of the horror movies Jace had insisted on watching. He’d wanted to scare girls into his arms but nine times out of ten he’d been too afraid to finish them himself. Jungkook had thought it was funny; Now he understood the fear a little better. He wasn’t afraid of their prey. It wasn’t a matter of fearing for his own safety but fear of ruining their plan that was worming it’s way into his stomach right now. If he alerted their prey before he could let The Monster in then there was no telling what could happen. He wasn’t equipped to deal with this on his own yet. Sure, he could kill the guy but as the elder had said some messes can’t be cleaned up. They needed to get their prey out of the house and into the vehicle as precisely and discreetly as possible, leaving no evidence behind.

   He took his time nearing the end of the hall. He was almost to the kitchen when he heard a bout of laughter from the other room and stopped dead in his tracks. The breath left his lungs and fear spiked through his core. He didn’t move a muscle, not even to blink. He waited and waited, making sure nothing else happened. The very real possibility that their prey could get up to use the bathroom or grab a snack rooted him to the spot.

   After a minute of no movement from the other room he finally allowed himself a quick breath. He couldn’t wait here forever. The longer he stayed in the hallway the greater the chance that their prey would actually get up for something. He needed to move. Quickly.

   There was an island that divided the kitchen from the hallway. If he could make it there he would be hidden well enough to make it to the door without being seen. He crouched down and leaned against the wall next to the corner. A deep breath in, deep breath out. He couldn’t let himself fall into the cycle of fear. He ducked his head, peeking around the corner and pulling his head back around in less than a second, enough time to see their prey on a recliner, facing away from the kitchen. That was good. He needed to move now.

   Without hesitating he ducked and ran as fast as he could while remaining silent, almost crawling across the open space and crouching behind the island and pushing himself into the corner within a couple seconds. His heart was hammering in his chest, fear trying to snake it’s way back into him. He almost let it but he knew it was wrong. He had to keep his cool no matter what. Gritting his teeth, he steadied his breathing and put his head between his knees. Count to five.

   One, he thought as the TV switched to commercials. Two, he thought as he heard a rustling sound from the living room. He didn’t get to three because he could hear the recliner snapping closed now and their prey was getting up.

   He had a split second to decide what to do. He could pull himself back into the corner, hoping shadows would cover him and their prey was not entering the kitchen. He could hide behind the very edge of the island and attack their prey when he walked past. If he hid and the prey came into the kitchen then he would be fucked but if he attacked early and it could have been avoided...

   Foot steps were nearing the island now, right on the other side, and he had to act. He did the fastest thing he could: he pressed himself right up to the counter and drew his knees in, curling himself into the smallest ball he could. Breathing was impossible because his heart was as heavy as concrete, weighing him down and crushing his lungs. He was vulnerable now like this. If their prey walked into the kitchen he would see Jungkook and everything would be over.

   Time moved at a quarter of the speed. Jungkook watched as their prey’s head appeared over the counter, watched as a foot appeared in the kitchen, watched as it stopped. “Fuck it. Gotta piss first.” The foot drew back and the prey moved down the hallway. Jungkook waited until he heard the bathroom door open and close before he moved. He didn’t care why he got lucky; He didn’t have time to care. He needed to get The Monster inside now. He shuffled as quickly as he could to the back door, sliding the deadbolt back and pulling the door open.

   The Monster was waiting on the other side. Surprise flit across his face before it settled on relief as he gave Jungkook a quick once over and saw he was uninjured, then confusion when he noticed his missing boots. “No time,” the younger hissed. He grabbed the elder and pulled him in, shutting and relocking the door behind them. “He’s in the bathroom. He’ll be back any second. What do we do?”

   The Monster looked around him, scanning the house. “There,” he pointed to the other side of the partition. “Come on.”

   Jungkook followed him behind the wall, about to ask what now when the elder pinned him to the wall and kissed him roughly. The younger froze, not against the sudden intimate moment but definitely confused at the timing. Their prey could come out at any second. It was incredibly risky wasting the few seconds they had to make out but he had never been one to say no to The Monster. By the time he was ready to kiss back though the latter was pulling back quickly, locking eyes with Jungkook. “Don’t ever scare me like that again,” he growled in answer to the younger’s unasked question. “Now when the door opens we wait for him to round the corner and I’ll grab him. You help me subdue him.”

   Jungkook nodded, his heart fluttering for an entirely different reason than the danger they were in. “What then?”

   The elder opened his mouth to speak when they heard the bathroom door open. The Monster immediately pushed Jungkook behind him, bracing his back to the wall and getting ready. Jungkook wasn’t quite sure for what but he had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen.

   He had never been more wrong in his life.

   It was almost too fast for Jungkook to process and his brain struggled to keep up with what happened next. Their prey rounded the corner and The Monster lunged. The man’s face contorted in shock, his lips forming a question before The Monster knocked him to the ground. They grappled, the prey trying to knock the elder off.

   “Who the fuck are you!” He looked between Jungkook and The Monster, confusion and fear playing on his face before he began sucking in a deep breath.

    “Fuck no,” Jungkook snarled. He raced down, covering their prey’s mouth with both hands before he could let out the scream he’d been readying. Their prey trashed harder, trying to rock the Monster off but his hold was firm as he pinned him down. The Monster moved his knee to their prey’s throat and pushed down, simultaneously holding his arm down and pushing into his windpipe. The man’s eyes widened and he began clawing at any part of them he could reach.

   “Calm down,” The Monster grunted. “You’re pissing me off.”

   Jungkook looked up at the elder, waiting to be told what to do but The Monster wasn’t paying any attention to him. He was using his free hand to rub his temple and his eyes were firmly shut. The prey tried to lunge up but Jungkook used his own knee to hit the side of his head, momentarily stunning him. “What now,” he whispered at the elder.

   “In a moment,” The Monster growled. His face was contorted in what Jungkook could only describe as pain, his mouth a firm line and eyes screwed shut tight. The younger looked between him and their prey, watching them with fearful eyes. He didn’t know what to do. He was waiting for the elder to direct him.

   “But-“

   “FUCK OFF,” The Monster screamed. Jungkook’s eyes widened and he flinched back at the raw anger in the elder’s voice. He didn’t understand.

   “What did I do?”

   “You shouldn’t be here,” the elder growled again.

   Jungkook had no fucking clue what was going on. Had he done something wrong? He knew the plan had gone a little awry but they could still turn things around. Why was The Monster so angry?

   “I said- No, I don’t care! Back the fuck off or- Fuck!” His hand dropped from his head onto the ground, holding him up as he sagged down. Jungkook’s hold on their prey loosened, worry for The Monster temporarily distracting him.

   “Are you ok- Fuck!” The man had bitten his hand. He pulled his left hand back, shaking it off as he pushed his right down harder, covering his nose as well and cutting his air supply off. “Stay fucking still!” He thrashed harder beneath them but it was in vain as both holds were more than sufficient enough to keep him down, even with The Monster so preoccupied.

   “You fucking piece of shit.”

   When he spoke again Jungkook’s head snapped over to look at The Monster, only something wasn’t right. He looked furious, like he wanted to rip the man to shreds. His knee pushed further into the man’s throat and Jungkook realised he was still restricting his breath. He shifted his hand to just cover his mouth as The Monster leaned down, getting right in their prey’s face.

   “Hello again. Remember me?”

   Jungkook looked back and forth between their faces, trying to figure out what he’d missed. He whispered back at the elder, making sure his hand remained on the man’s mouth. “You know him?”

   The Monster turned to Jungkook and smiled, pain flashing through his eyes and- Oh. It wasn’t The Monster.

   “Namjoon,” the younger breathed.

   Namjoon turned back to their- Jungkook and The Monster’s, prey and his face contorted into a mask of anger, disgust and hatred. “I know him. I don’t think he knows me, though.” He grabbed at their- No, Jungkook’s now? prey’s shirt. “What, you kill so many kids you forget their faces? Huh? Did you forget Seokjin’s face too?”

   “Seokjin?”

   It clicked for Jungkook now: why the elders had rushed the kill, why they hadn’t taken enough time to prepare as fully as they normally did, why Namjoon was here. “It’s him, isn’t it? The driver who hit Seokjin? How did you find him?”

   “He thought he could escape what he had done. No, I won’t let him.” The elder drew his fist back and went for the man’s face, intent clear to both the man and Jungkook.

   “Stop!” The younger man tried to grab his hand before it struck the man’s face but only managed to draw it off course, hitting his chest instead. “Where’s The Monster? Namjoon, what is going on!?”

   “He killed Seokjin,” Namjoon screamed at the man. He was angry, very angry. He took another swing and Jungkook was able to stop him this time at the expense of covering the man’s mouth.

   “Calm down!” He couldn’t restrain them both and now that there were no more hands on him the prey used the opportunity to roll to his right, away from Jungkook and out from under The Monster. The elder fell to his side, snarling and reaching his hands out for the prey. Jungkook didn’t know what was going on with Namjoon but he didn’t have time to worry about it because their prey was on his knees, scrambling to get up.

   Jungkook was closer so he pushed himself towards the other, wrapping his arms around their prey’s back and trying to pull him down. He fought Jungkook, thrashing and clawing blindly back at the younger. He got Jungkook on the side of the face and he winced as the flesh of his cheek was torn open. The younger pushed harder, flexing his knees and twisting his body to bring the prey down with him.

   His back hit the ground with a hard thud and the air left his lungs. He grunted and rolled over, pinning their prey’s wrists to the ground and straddling his hips. Before he could try to scream again Jungkook pulled his head back and brought it down to connect with their prey’s forehead. The prey cried out, head lolling back in a dazed manner.

   Jungkook’s own head seemed to explode with pain and his hands loosened around the prey’s wrists. They were both too dazed to fight for a moment but adrenaline kicked in earlier for Jungkook and he tightened his grip once again.

   “He needs to suffer,” Namjoon choked out. Jungkook looked and saw the pain almost take over the elder’s face, combining with the anger and turning him into a bottle rocket of emotion. “He needs to- We need to make him suffer, like Jinnie suffered.” He sniffled, trying to stand up but his knees shook too much and he collapsed back onto the ground, a sob escaping his lips.

   “Just- Please just stay there Namjoon. We need- Fuck, I don’t know what we need to do. Give me a second.” He looked back and forth between the two quickly, trying to figure out a solution when he heard the front door open.

   “Jack?”

   “Fuck,” he cursed. The sister was back. She wasn’t supposed to be home for another two hours at least! Literally every-fucking-thing was going wrong right now. He quickly moved his knees to hold down their prey’s arms so he could also cover his mouth before the alerted the girl. The Monster was gone and Namjoon was in no position to make any decisions right now so he couldn’t look to either of them for an answer. He had about four seconds for the sister to round the corner and find them.

   He slammed the man’s head into the ground at the same moment he reached forward and pulled the knife out of the holster on Namjoon’s waist. He scrambled to pull the man up while holding the knife to his throat at the same second the girl turned the corner.

   “I forgot my phone. Can y-“ She froze as she looked up and took in the strange men in her home, one of them holding a knife to her brother’s throat.

   Before she could move Jungkook held the knife tighter to the man’s throat, drawing a single drop of blood as he held the other tightly back. “Scream or try anything stupid and he dies.”

   Their prey could no longer fight now that a blade was pressed so close to the arteries in his neck. He held extremely still against the younger as Jungkook backed them up a few steps. “Do what he says,” he choked out.

   “Who are you? Please let him go,” she begged. She took a step forward and Jungkook pulled the blade back a fraction, just barely breaking the skin and allowing a small trail of blood to slip down the man’s neck as he gasped.

   “Don’t move,” he warned her.

   She stopped moving immediately, holding her hands up in surrender. “Okay,” she agreed. Tears were sliding down her face and she sniffled. “I’ll stay.”

   “Good,” Jungkook said. He had no idea what to do now but he couldn’t let them know that. He needed to appear in control no matter what. He glanced down at Namjoon on the ground, now biting his lip so hard it was bleeding and sobbing quietly to himself. He had showed up and acted out so suddenly that the younger had no idea how to move forward. He couldn’t ask The Monster and-

   “Let him go,” the girl demanded suddenly. He looked up and flinched when he saw the barrel of a pistol staring him in the face. She’d taken a few steps forward when he wasn’t paying attention and now stood only ten feet away, pointing a gun directly at Jungkook. She must have had it in her purse or something. Stupid, he screamed at himself. He should have gotten her to throw her purse to him or something. Now he was in danger of losing control of the situation and fast. His only choice was to bluff his way out of it.

   “You sure about that?” Jungkook took another step back, pulling the man with him. “You ever shot one of those before? How’s your aim? How sure are you that you can hit me without hurting him too?” He pulled the man closer, covering himself with the other’s body so that only his head and arm was showing.

   She hesitated, thinking over what Jungkook said. For a second he was sure he had her but then her eyes hardened and she pursed her lips, glaring at him. “Maybe I can’t hit you but...”

   She started turning towards Namjoon, his eyes widening with shock as he looked between her and the younger man, and Jungkook acted out of instinct. He dropped his hand and pushed the man towards his sister, startling her and drawing her focus. Then he lunged forward, bringing his hand up to knock the gun easily from her hand. It dropped and skidded towards the front of the room, out of either’s reach. He hooked his leg behind her ankle and pushed, knocking her down to the floor and straddling her as he attempted to restrain her.

   She fought back. Of course she fought back. She lashed out at his head. Her nails were longer than her brother’s so they hurt much more when she raked them down his face but he had adrenaline on his side. He shoved her hands away and punched her in the face, drawing a cry of pain from her lips. She responded by kicking up from under him and hitting him between the legs, getting a perfect shot on his testicles. He cursed and doubled over, giving her the perfect opportunity to bring her own fist to the side of his head. Even if Jungkook’s head hadn’t still been pounding from his earlier head-butt he would have screamed. He could feel his head wound from earlier that week tear back open from the force and tears clouded his eyes.

   He heard shouting from behind him and chanced a look back to see Namjoon grappling with their original prey, rolling around on the ground as they both fought for control. He didn’t have time to be relieved their prey hadn’t gotten away yet because another fist to the face snapped him back to his own current problem.

   He pushed her hands away from him, wrapping his hands around her wrists and slamming them back into the ground. “You’re really starting to piss me off, “ he growled.

   “Fuck you, prick.” She spit in his face and Jungkook saw red. This was not the way it was supposed to go. Him and The Monster were supposed to have grabbed their prey easily without even seeing the sister and should have been on their way to the warehouse by now but no, instead he was stuck here fighting this stupid bitch and Namjoon definitely wasn’t supposed to be here and Jungkook snapped.

   “Fuck this,” he snarled. He let go of her wrists so that he could wrap his hands around her throat instead. Her eyes widened as he squeezed and her hands came up to desperately tug at his. It was almost comical how silly she looked and Jungkook laughed, flexing his fingers and applying more pressure to her windpipe.

   Tears were sliding down her cheeks and Jungkook leaned down, dragging his tongue along her skin and collecting the salty liquid for himself. He wanted to savour every moment of this, of his death and rebirth. He knew he was going to kill her. He had too. It was the only way now.

   She might have whimpered but it was hard to tell with his hands still wrapped tightly around her throat. Her body bucked and moved beneath him in an effort to get him off but he had the upper hand now. He licked his lips and giggled, smiling down at her gleefully. Blood was dripping down his face from his wounds and it slipped into his mouth and in his eyes, colouring him in like a macabre kids drawing.

   The look on her face was pure, unadulterated terror. Jungkook loved seeing the emotions flicker across her eyes as he strangled her, stealing the air away before she could even receive it. Although she had been without air for over a minute now and the purple and blue creeping into her complexion was probably masking some of her true emotions. Her face couldn’t be accurately believed right now. Jungkook looked at her curiously, wondering what else was there hiding behind her eyes. He loosened his hands, just a fraction, and she took a shuddering breath, gasping and sputtering. He smiled and tilted his head to the side, studying her reaction. “How did that feel?”

   “You – You’re fucking crazy,” she choked out. She coughed desperately and Jungkook grinned a Cheshire cat smile.

   “All the best people are,” he agreed. Before she could respond he tightened his hands again and stole back the air he’d given her. Her hands flew out to the ground as she scrabbled uselessly at the floor. She was the mouse and Jungkook was the cat, a predator taking down his prey. The delight was almost too much for him to handle as he continued to giggle.

   Apparently her scrabbling had not been so useless though, because she swung her arm back up and something sliced into the skin of Jungkook’s shoulder. He howled and let go of her, drawing a hand up to clutch at his arm as he assessed the damage. There was a nasty cut running along the top of his arm just below his left shoulder, spanning the width of his bicep. His sweater was wet with blood already and it continued to flow. Where the fu- His knife! The bitch was trying to kill him with his own knife. “No fucking way,” he growled.

   She thrust her hand out again, aiming for his face this time. He blocked it with his injured arm and used his right to grab the hand holding the weapon. He gripped her forearm and yanked the knife from her grip just as she twisted her hips and propelled him off of her. He fell on his side as she scrambled up and onto her feet. He lunged and made a grab for her but just barely missed her shirt. He got up and ran after her as she made a dash for the door.

   She reached the door right as Jungkook’s hand gripped onto her shoulder. He whipped her around and pushed her back against the living room wall. At the same moment he moved the blade of his knife forward and into the soft flesh of her stomach. She made a choked little gasp, mouth falling open to make an ‘o’ shape. She looked down to where the blade was still pushing into her skin until all eleven inches of it had disappeared inside of her.

   “Looks like it fits,” he giggled. He twisted the knife and she screamed. It faded to a choked gurgle as the younger continued to dig around her insides with his blade. He yanked it out and stabbed her other side, watching all her fear and pain play out on her face like she was his puppet. He pushed deeper and she cried, he pulled it back and she whimpered, her actions directed by Jungkook’s own. “How’s that for a prick?”

   Her legs gave out and she crumpled against him, coughing up blood and tears and the last little bits of her life. She looked up at him once more, eyes pleading. “Okay,” he agreed. He pulled her up straight and gave her one last smile. “Have a nice fall.”

   He shoved her back, holding onto the knife as it slid out of her, rather she slid off of it, and fell with a thud to the floor. She lay unmoving, legs tangled up beneath herself. He would have liked to appreciate the view more but a distressed grunt from across the room drew his attention back to the other situation.

   Namjoon had their prey on the ground, uselessly struggling against the elder’s hold. Jungkook moved toward them, intent on helping but before he could get there Namjoon wound up and punched him in the face. Hard. If he had been playing one of those arcade games where you see how hard you can hit the bell he would have broken the thing.

   “It’s your fault! He’s dead because of you. You fucking killed him!” He punched the prey again, and again, cracking the man’s lips and spraying blood on the ground next to them.

   Jungkook watched in awe as Namjoon continued to hit the man, fist coming down into his face over and over again. He heard the crack of the man’s nose breaking from across the room, another spray of blood splattering across Namjoon’s chest. Whatever anger Namjoon had hidden before was coming out in full force now, distributed fully to the man Namjoon blamed for destroying his world.

   By now the man was dead, there was no two ways about it. The rise and fall of his chest had ended some time ago and he made no more noises as the elder’s fists continued beating in his skull. Jungkook wasn’t sure if Namjoon was even aware enough to realize it.

   He walked over to the elder and crouched down next to him. Namjoon was so far gone he wasn’t even sure if he could bring him back. He still had to try though. He needed The Monster to help him deal with the mess anyway. “Hey,” he said softly.

   The elder didn’t answer but his fists stopped and his arms moved limply to his sides. His knuckles were split open and blood was all over him; Jungkook didn’t know where the elder’s ended and their prey’s began.

   “It’s done, okay? He’s dead.” He squeezed Namjoon’s shoulder and gently nudged for him to get off of the body. Namjoon allowed the younger to pull him over to the floor, eyes glassy and unfocused as he stared at the ground.

   “I had to do it. I had too. He hurt Seokjin. I had too.” He repeated it over and over, staring blankly ahead and shivering.

   “Shh,” Jungkook quieted him. He knelt down in front of the elder and held his shoulders, tilting his head down to meet his eyes. “I know. It’s okay. Do you think I could talk to The Monster for a bit?”

   Namjoon looked up at that, gaze slightly more focused now as he stared at Jungkook. “He wasn’t very happy about what I did before but now he changed his mind.” Namjoon hiccupped and choked back a sob. “He knows now. Now he knows...”

   “What does he know Namjoon?”

   The elder looked up at him, face a mess and blood everywhere and frowned. “That I’m like you now.” He removed himself from Jungkook’s hands, shaking his head and scooting backwards.

   Like him? Did that mean he wanted to kill now? Or maybe he just meant... Jungkook had no idea what else he could have meant. “What do you mean, Namjoon?” Jungkook moved forward and Namjoon shook his head again.

   “I can’t. I don’t want to- Not right now. I need to go.” He curled in on himself and Jungkook paused. There was no point now. Namjoon was way too close to cracking. He needed to talk to The Monster, not Namjoon, and he was pretty sure that was what was about to happen.

   He waited for the elder to move again and when he did, his head coming up fluidly and he was met with those eyes again he breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank god,” he mumbled.

   “I don’t think he had anything to do with any of...” The Monster waved his hands around theatrically. “This,” he finished.

   “Such a fucking mess,” the younger agreed. “How are we supposed to clean this up?

   “It will be a pain but we can do it easily with what’s in the truck. Still, one good thing did come out of all of it.”

   Jungkook laughed, looking around at the carnage surrounding them. “And what’s that?”

   The Monster got up and stalked, not walked but stalked over to him. The look in his eyes had become pure, raw hunger, like a beast in the middle of a bloodlust. He towered above Jungkook, his clothing ripped and stained with their prey and Namjoon’s blood. The way he stared down at Jungkook; he looked like he was still on the hunt, a different kind of hunt all together. The younger stared back up, stomach suddenly doing back flips and handstands and fucking twists.

   The Monster pushed him down onto his back and crawled on top of him without a word, pinning him to the ground completely. Jungkook could feel the wetness of more blood seeping into the bottom of his shirt but he didn’t care because then The Monster was kissing him and all other thoughts flew from his head. Kissing wasn’t even the right word; He was going to swallow Jungkook whole at this rate. The insistency of his lips against the younger’s was stronger than ever before, like it was their first and last time.

   Clean up be damned, Jungkook decided. He moved his lips back just as eagerly, opening his mouth to allow The Monster’s tongue entrance when it pushed at his teeth. His hands wrapped around the elder’s shoulders and he tried to pull him closer despite the fact that their chests were already touching. He didn’t care. He just wanted to get as wrapped up in the other as he could, physically and emotionally and what-fucking-ever else.

   The elder nibbled at his lip, tongue flicking out to caress between his teeth before he bit down hard. Jungkook let out a shallow moan and pushed his hips upwards in search of some type of friction for his rapidly growing erection. The Monster groaned and brought a hand up into Jungkook’s hair, tangling in between his dark locks and yanking his head back. He trailed down to bite at the younger’s exposed neck, licking and sucking at the skin and making more moans spill from between the younger’s lips.

   “Do you have any idea how fucking irresistible you look right now, painted in blood and death and beauty like this?” He ground his hips down into Jungkook and the younger whined, clawing at his back desperately. “I would have you every way possible right now.”

   “Please,” Jungkook begged. The rush of adrenaline from his first kill was still burning in his veins and combined with his hormones was creating an insatiable want. He felt like he was on top of the world right now but he wanted to go higher and he knew only The Monster could bring him there.

   “Fuck,” the elder growled. He pushed himself up to his knees, pulling Jungkook up with him by his hair. He winced but let out a breathy gasp after, staring up at the elder with wide eyes blown with lust. He had never wanted The Monster more than he did right now, both of them bruised and battered and victorious.

   “Please,” he repeated. He didn’t even care what he got as long as he got something. He was burning up inside, quickly being consumed by his own desire. “Anything, please. I want you. Please.”

   The Monster yanked him forward with the hand still intertwined in his hair. He tumbled forward and had to grip the elder’s front to keep from falling over. “You have such pretty lips,” the elder spoke, words like silk washing over him. He reached up, caressing Jungkook’s lower lip with his thumb. “I wonder what they would look like stretched around my cock.”

   He pushed his thumb past Jungkook’s lips and into his mouth. He closed his lips around it instinctively, sucking lightly on the pad of his finger. It left a metallic taste in his mouth, or that was from Jungkook’s head. He didn’t care. He licked at it, tasting the blood and cleaning it from The Monster’s thumb as the elder watched with lidded eyes.

   “Breathtaking,” he murmured, pulling his thumb down to tug on the younger’s lips. Jungkook whimpered, moving his head with the touch to keep the elder in his mouth. He sucked harder, swirling his tongue around the digit and the elder groaned. “Enough of that.”

   He drew his hand back and released his hold on the younger’s hair, causing him to whine and reach out for the elder. The Monster grabbed his hands and held them together, easily wrapping one hand around both of his wrists as his other hand went down to his waist and yanked the button of his jeans open.

   “Yes,” Jungkook pleaded. He watched eagerly as the elder pulled his zipper down, releasing Jungkook’s hands to sit back and tug his pants off.

   “Come here,” he growled, grabbing his hair again and yanking him forward as the elder lay back. Jungkook scrambled to catch himself on his hands as the elder dragged his head down towards his bare cock, tip red and leaking precum already. He forced Jungkook’s head down and the younger got the message. He grabbed the elder’s thighs to steady himself and opened his mouth, taking the head of The Monster’s cock between his lips and closing around it. The elder moaned low and deep, hips twitching beneath the younger as he took more of his cock into his virgin mouth.

   He tasted every bit as good as Jungkook had imagined, flavors heady on his tongue and so delicious. It was salty but also sweet, the lingering taste of blood in his mouth mixing in with The Monster’s own exquisite essence and he hummed his delight.

   “Fuck,” The Monster cursed. His hips jumped a fraction and pushed his cock further into Jungkook mouth, bringing the younger’s nose down enough to graze his public hair. “You feel so good,” he moaned. His hips twitched and Jungkook hummed again, enjoying the way the elder’s muscles tensed beneath his hands.

   He had no idea how to actually give a blow job so he was working off of instinct, doing all the things he imagined would feel good if the Monster did them to him. His own cock was heavy and full in his pants and he ached to touch it but he refrained. He didn’t know if he would be able to hold back if he started touching himself and he was really enjoying right now as it was.

   He tried to take the elder deeper, pushing himself down until his nose was buried in his public hair. The head of The Monster’s cock hit the back of his throat and he gagged, trying to swallow back his spit before he drooled all over. “Oh god,” The Monster murmured as the younger’s throat constricted around him.

   His hand tightened in Jungkook’s hair and he pulled him down farther, forcing his cock as deep down the younger’s throat as it would go. The groan that left his lips went straight to Jungkook’s dick. He wanted to hear more if it.

   Tears sprang to his eyes but he fought them back, using every ounce of his strength not to gag. He read somewhere that tucking your thumb into your fist helped with your gag reflex so he did it with both hands, continuing to suck as best he could. The Monster groaned, deep and guttural and snapped his hips up into the younger’s mouth.

   “You look so fucking beautiful right now,” The Monster murmured, voice deep with arousal as Jungkook did his best to accommodate him into his mouth. He was happy that he was doing it right and The Monster was enjoying it. All he wanted right now was to please him and make him proud of Jungkook.

   He set to work relaxing his throat as much as he could, allowing the elder’s cock to reach in farther. He swallowed around it, humming and allowing the vibration of his vocal chords to add to the pleasure. The Monster grunted, snapping his hips up again and this time Jungkook barely gagged at all. The elder continued thrusting shallowly upwards, his hands twisted into Jungkook’s hair and pulling his head down as his hips went up.

   He began quickening his pace, fucking up into Jungkook’s mouth with wild abandon. The younger did his best to comply, breathing through his nose when he could and using his tongue to slide along the underside of his cock. His mouth began to ache and on one of the elder’s down thrusts he accidentally grazed his cock with his teeth. He gasped around the elder, worried he’d hurt him and suddenly feeling very upset.

   The Monster moaned, head pushing backinto the floor and he pulled Jungkook off of him. The younger looked up at him, lips puffy from the abuse and cheeks pink from exertion.

  “Did I hurt you?”

   “No,” the elder gasped. He quickly moved up to his knees, grabbing Jungkook and crushing their lips together. Apparently he needn’t have worried at all. “It was fucking amazing,” he continued between breaths. “But I would like to fuck you now. Is that okay?”

   Jungkook whined and squeezed the elder’s biceps involuntarily, his dick twitching painfully in anticipation, and began fumbling with his own pants. “Good boy,” The Monster praised.

   He replaced Jungkook’s hands with his own when the younger boy got nowhere, too excited to manage with his belt. The Monster made short work of it, shoving Jungkook back and ripping his pants off. He wasted no time crawling between his legs and crushing their pelvis’ together.

   “Please,” Jungkook whimpered, pushing back into him and delighting in the feeling of something finally touching his own cock. He rutted desperately against the elder as The Monster looked down at him. His eyes were so dark and his face so bloody and he was so fucking hot that Jungkook couldn’t wait even a second longer. He needed him now. “Just fuck me. Please. Don’t do anything else, just fuck me already.”

   The Monster made a noise in his throat, something between a growl and a moan. He spit into his hand and brought it down to his cock, working it along his length until it was glistening. He pulled back, grabbing Jungkook’s ass on both sides and lifting his hips up to line his cock up with the younger’s entrance. Jungkook felt the head press against his puckered hole and sobbed, pushing back into it.

   “That’s my boy,” The Monster purred and slammed into him. Jungkook jerked, momentarily overcome with a pain so intense it clouded his vision so that he could only see white. The elder set to work, pulling back almost all the way and thrusting back in roughly. The younger gasped, eyes squeezed shut in pleasure and pain.

   Jungkook felt it happen, felt himself tear open as The Monster pounded mercilessly into him. His head went fuzzy and he might have blacked out for a second. When he came back to himself he moaned and pushed back against the Monster, squeezing his muscles around him and trying to pull him in farther as pleasure began to work its way through his veins.

   The elder leaned down, licking at Jungkook’s lips. The younger sucked the other’s tongue in between his own lips, making lewd wet noises as he sucked it like a lollipop. The Monster groaned, jerking back to take Jungkook’s leg and hoist it up and over his shoulder, snapping his hips faster.

   “You take my cock so well. Fuck.”

   Jungkook was getting close, had been close for a while but it was becoming too hard for him to hold back now. He dug his nails into The Monster’s arms, meeting his thrusts as evenly as he could. “Harder,” he begged. “Please, fuck me harder.”

   “Anything you want,” the elder grunted. He pulled back to lean on his knees, shifting Jungkook for a second before ramming back into him. He shoved his cock farther and harder inside of Jungkook, stretching his tight ring to its limits. His nails dug into Jungkook’s hips so hard that they left little red half crescents in his skin.

   “Feels so good,” Jungkook murmured. His legs were shaking and his whole body felt amazing. He was on the edge of a cliff and he wanted nothing more than to fall off.

   “You like that? Do you like the way I fuck you? Hmm?”

   “Yes, fuck yes,” Jungkook sobbed. “You’re cock feels so good stretching me open. So good.”

   The Monster grunted, hands flexing on the younger’s hips. “Ohh, you’re so good for me little one. I want to tear you apart so I can put you back together again. How does that sound?”

   Jungkook lost it. His cock twitched once before he blew his release all over himself, the force of The Monster’s thrusts sending his cum everywhere. Some landed by his mouth and he flicked his tongue out to taste it, moaning wantonly as he met the elder’s eyes. That was his own undoing as he thrust forward twice more before stilling, lips parted in ecstasy as his cock shot copious amounts of his cum inside of the younger boy.

   They stayed like that for a while, The Monster panting heavily and beaming down at the younger like they’d just pulled off a some type of super complicated mission and Jungkook just barely summoning the energy to smirk back up at him. Finally, though, the elder gingerly pulled out, a stark contrast to his previous actions and it made Jungkook laugh. More like a breathy pant because he was fucking tired right now but whatever.

   “Was that... did you laugh just now?” The Monster asked as he lay down next to him, carefully arranging himself so that he could wrap his arms around the younger without jostling him too much.

   “Yes,” Jungkook said (croaked, actually) and laughed (panted) again. “You’re an animal during sex and now you’re being all careful. Why?” He looked back at the elder, wincing because moving hurt.

   The elder sighed and brushed Jungkook’s bangs out of his eyes, hand lingering to cup his face for second before pulling away. “Namjoon has had some... things to say about the way our relationship worked before. He has urged me to be a bit more cautious with you lest I actually break you.”

   “What? Why would you listen,” Jungkook scoffed. He rolled onto his back, in very large amounts of pain but thanks to the adrenaline and endorphins it was easy enough to ignore for now. “I like it when you treat me rough,” he reminded the other.

   The Monster nodded. “I know,” he said as he pulled Jungkook further into him. “But if I’m to be rough in some areas I need to be gentle in others. He’s right about that. If we want to do things like what we just did we can, provided you allow me to take care of you afterwards.”

   “You sound like him,” the younger sighed. He understood what they both meant. He needed to take care of himself so he was actually in the condition to be able to do these things. That didn’t mean he had to like it.

   “Hmm. He changed tonight,” The Monster murmured.

   Jungkook knew as much but he didn’t know anything else as to whether it was good or bad, if he was okay or not. Namjoon had been a mess when the younger had spoken to him. Maybe if he gave it a little while and Namjoon could rest, safely tucked away in the back of The Monster’s head for now, the next time he’d see him the elder would be willing to talk. Jungkook looked up at him, into The Monster’s eyes, and maybe it was just his imagination telling him he could see a bit of Namjoon in there too. He was also very tired and a little bit crazy now.

   “So,” The Monster began, shaking his head to clear away unpleasant thoughts. “How was it? Your very first kill: Shame I had to miss it,” he lamented.

   “Good,” Jungkook laughed. “She was pissing me off so much I think I actually enjoyed it more than if it had been him,” he said as he jerked his head in the direction of their original prey.

   “I’m glad,” The Monster whispered, leaning forward to kiss Jungkook’s forehead. It felt strange for the elder to make such intimate, almost tame gestures but Jungkook supposed he couldn’t be an animal all the time (probably just most of it).

   “What about this?” The elder stretched his arm above them to clutch the knife where Jungkook had dropped it right before he’d pulled Namjoon off their prey. The elder held it above them, twisting it in the light and admiring it. “Maybe we should get it framed,” the elder joked. At least Jungkook thought he was joking.

   As The Monster held it above It caught the light and for a moment Jungkook could see his eyes reflected beyond the blood on the surface. There was something so dark in them; He hardly recognized himself. Gone was the dull covering of apathy and boredom he’d originally come to the elder with. In its place was a hunger that mirrored that of The Monster. He had fed the fire growing inside the Old Jungkook and as it roared to life so did the New Jungkook. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes he too was reborn.

   The Monster handed the knife to him like the ceremonial passing of a torch. He held it reverently in his hand, the tool that he had used to begin the journey he was now on with his lover and mentor. It felt so right in his hands, like it had always meant to end up there. Oddly enough, the way The Monster held him made him feel those same things. It wasn’t like he had to pick one or the other though, killing or loving. He could do both. He’d never fit into the molds other people made anyways. Maybe they were just two very unique people, meant to do and be more than the world could possibly imagine. He was alright with that.

   “Thank you,” he said softly. He looked up at the elder and smiled the most genuine smile of his life. “Thank you for showing me who I could be, was meant to be.”

   The Monster quirked his head to the side, studying Jungkook with a pleased and fond look. The younger would never want to stop seeing that look, never want to stop being the one to put it on the elder’s face. “Jungkook, I think you are my greatest masterpiece yet.”

   SOME TIME LATER

   The lights of Paris drifted in through the open window, dancing across the broad planes of Jungkook’s back. He had grown in size since they’d began their journey, his muscles becoming much more defined and almost tripling in size. Namjoon’s clothes no longer hung loose off his shoulders. He had come into his own very well.

   The Monster watched as the younger slept, eyelashes fluttering slightly every time he traced the muscles with his fingers. He knew he should stop soon or else he’d wake the younger man up but he found himself unable to do so today. Jungkook was just too irresistible to him, with the little noises he made in his sleep and the way his nose crinkled every so often. He made The Monster feel almost human. He was still a predator but Jungkook had proven to him that not everyone needed to be prey.

   The younger man sniffed, fidgeting beneath the blanket and the elder knew he had woken him up. He shuffled down, pulling the younger to his chest. “Go back to sleep little one,” he whispered into Jungkook’s ear. The younger man smacked his lips together and sighed, curling into the elder’s side once more.

   It was shaping up to be a wonderful honeymoon so far and it had only just begun. Tomorrow they left for Italy, then Beijing. The world was their oyster.

   Downstairs the front desk worker scrolled through a news article on her phone, fear and horror her reactions to the latest headline.

   THIRD BODY FOUND DEAD THIS MONTH