It was just a few weeks after the murder, after Taehyung had called Jin and told him what happened, two weeks since Taehyung had washed his Father's blood from his hands. Jin feared for his friend, even though Taehyung's sister had told the police that someone broke into the house and her father had fended them off, but was stabbed in the process, Taehyung was hiding somewhere.  They had ofcourse questioned where Taehyung was, but it wasn't uncommon for him to disappear days at a time, to escape the hell hole of a home he lived in.

     Jin feared the worst, he knew something was wrong. Taehyung had never gone a day without calling him, let alone two weeks. Finally when the silence was broken, Taehyung's emotionless voice on the other end scared Jin, he knew he had to get them all together. Taehyung didn't say much, but Jin knew he would be in the spot, the place he had always went to when his father had beat him just a little too hard. Jin had an ominous feeling that Taehyung was about to do something drastic. He had always had that streak of recklessness, he thrived on danger. Taehyung was the kind to act on a moment, without pause, without thinking. 

     Jin brought his camera as he always did, but today, today he didn't put it down. Today, he wanted to capture every laugh, every tear, every last moment. He feared what was coming. He felt he had to show Taehyung that they all still loved him, that their friendship would never be torn apart, that they understood why he did it. They all knew how Taehyung's father was.

     They trudged through the woods, to the spot they used to hang out in as teenagers, the old swimming pool in the abandoned part of town, the part of town no one dared go in to. There were no rules here, no adults, no one dragging them down, when they all came here - they were free. Jin knew Taehyung would be here and he told them all he would meet them there. He wasn't sure why he didn't just go there with them, but today he needed to visit his Mom first, he had to be sure she knew that he loved her.  It was Jungkook that noticed Jin standing at the side of the pool filming, the usual smile that took over his face when he saw Jin. Jin stepped down to join them and threw his arms around Taehyung - Taehyung's smile told him that he had done the right thing by calling them all together.

     "How did you know?" Taehyung was beaming.

     "How could we not know?" Jin smiled back.

     They had not hung out like this for over six months, not since started to happen. Hoseok was fresh out of very toxic relationship. He was popping pills so fast he landed himself in rehab after passing out on the highway overpass. The last time they had got together, Hoseok has poured the pills into the bonfire, releasing his "demons" as he called them. Though the pills had stopped, Hoseok's depression made him very tired all the time, so he stayed holed up in his apartment, just sleeping. Namjoon came from a very wealthy family, he was also very intelligent and his parents expected him to become a doctor, even enrolled him in the best medical school, but all Namjoon wanted to do was rap, pursue music. His parents did not understand that life, so they had cut him off, sent him to live in the real world, made to get a job at the gas station to feed himself, to learn of the harsh life of a "loser". He was bitter, treated like trash by people that were once his friends and withdrawed into his own world. Jimin's high school sweetheart had gone off to college in the US, they tried the long distance relationship, but as most do - it ended. Jimin received the letter the same day he had purchased a ring. He had planned to fly to her, propose after a romantic day together. He sat in the bathtub reading it for hours. The water had turned cold and he shivered as he burnt the letter and threw it to the ground. He hadn't remembered how he got out of the tub, or why he had. He went under the water and let everything go from his mind, determined to end the pain, but something had kept him from going all the way. Yoongi always had an obsession with fire, he always carried his black skull lighter with him, flicking it on and off, staring into the flame. There was a beauty in the way the flame danced in his hand. This side of Yoongi had frightened Jin on many occassions, especially since Yoongi had told Jin he was the one that started the infamous fire that burned two city blocks to the ground, not too far from where they were now. Pair that with Yoongi dating a married woman and Jin felt as though Yoongi would be the next friend in trouble.  Jin and Jungkook dated on and off, it was right around the time that Taehyung had killed his father, that they had broken up and Jungkook went looking for a fight. There were several guys from high school that frequently caused problems for the both of them, calling them names, picking fights and trying to make their lives miserable. It was the very same night that Taehyung had plunged a broken bottle into his father's stomach, that Jungkook had gotten a beaten. He didn't even fight back, he just let them pound him and kick him and when they were done, he just sat on the ground, scoffing at what a joke he was.  Jin felt guilty, his life was going well, aside from the fact that he was having problems with Jungkook at that time, he was doing well. They had gotten back together the next day, when they heard the news about Mr. Kim. They both knew that it was Taehyung that had done it.

     For the next three days, they had the time of their lives, just hanging out, acting crazy like they had not so many years ago. Jin snapped pictures of them racing shopping carts, arm wrestling, dance battling, and acting up. They talked and laughed and reminisced about the past, and made plans for their future, that is, everyone but Taehyung talked about their plans, when it was mentioned, he just stared off into space. No one else noticed since there was so much chaos when they were together. Jin noticed.

      The bonfire that night, JIn showed a picture to Hoseok, the beach a hundreds of miles away. Hoseok stared at the picture.

     "Road trip?" Jin asked as he watched Hoseok stuff pretzels into his mouth, nodding. He looked to the others and they all nodded as well. In the morning, after a good night's rest, they all piled into Jin's truck and drove for the coast, stopping only once, at a gas station to refuel and get snacks.

     "You haven't been in any pictures today." Namjoon leaned against the window of the truck, looking at Jin. 

      "Here." Jin handed the camera to him and Namjoon snapped a picture, not before Yoongi jumped into it with a huge grin on his face.

     Namjoon got into the truck and slid the camera and picture into the glove compartment and they were off again.

     The coast was beautiful and deserted. Jin went into 4X4 mode and hit the beach, leaving tracks in the wet sand, gunning it to 80 miles per hour, before slowing down and stopping near the water. They all got out and stretched their legs. They competed at who could run faster for over two hours. Jin's legs were tired, so he reached for his camera again and caught a beautiful shot of Jungkook against the orange sky, he smiled and looked over at Taehyung who was smiling as well, they exchanged glances and for the first time in a long while, Jin saw hope behind Taehyung's eyes. They all watched the sunset from the bed of the truck, before falling asleep from exhaustion.

      Jin woke early, he noticed from the truck that Jungkook was sitting on the ledge of the boardwalk, looking down at the water, watching the dark sky slowly brighten in it's reflection. Yoongi joined him, putting his arm around him. Their voices were barely audible, but Jin could make out part of the conversation.

     "Things good with you two?" Yoongi asked and Jungkook knew he meant him and Jin. He nodded and looked towards the truck.

     "Should we wake them now?" Jungkook smirked and Yoongi stood.

     "Yeah, we should watch the sunrise together." Yoongi smiled.

     He watched the two of them head back towards the truck, he stretched as they woke everyone.

     They all sat down at the water's edge, watching the sun rise in it's usual hues of oranges and yellows. It was the most beautiful sight Jin had ever seen. Taehyung looked at them all watching the sun and slowly stood, he looked up at the scaffolding to his right, it was so random, just sitting there with no purpose. He figured it was the start of a project, maybe abadoned. He climbed to the top, it was very high and shaky, swaying a bit with the wind. He looked out at the horizon, a bit nervous.

     "Hey, get down from there." Jimin yelled.

     Taehyung just looked down at them all and smiled, for the first time in a very long time, he felt free. He felt like a caterpillar bursting from it's cacoon, a new lovely butterfly spreading it's wings for the first time. A look of determination replaced the worry and he knew what he had to do. He backed up two steps and then wiped his nose, his anticipation growing...Butterfly be free. Then, without thinking, he ran and jumped off the scaffold. He felt weightless in the sky as he fell in slow motion to the chilly water below, hitting it with such a force that the splash reached the boys sitting at the edge. Jin stood, his camera accidently falling into the water as he dove in, he was half way to the spot that taehyung went under, before anyone registered what was happening. He swam out to the spot and went under several times, no Taehyung. Jungkook swam out to help, followed by Jimin. They all dove down and resurfaced, no Taehyung.  Several minutes had passed and Jin came up, grasping Taehyung by the back of the shirt, frantic. Jimin grabbed Taehyung's left arm and Jungkook his right and they all swam to the shore. Namjoon did CPR as Jin paced back and forth behind him, Taehyung lifeless, pale body sitting there on the sand, looking oddly at peace. That's when it hit Jin, this was the feeling he had, the terrible thing he dreaded. Taehyung had known the moment he was going to die, he even smiled down at them letting them know it was okay, he was okay. Jin looked over at Yoongi, who was standing a few feet away, just staring at Taehyung, a chill took over Jin's body at the sight of Yoongi standing there motionless, almost as pale as Taehyung.

     When the doctor told them there was nothing he could do, Jin already knew Taehyung was gone. He looked at the rest of their faces, the tears streaming down their cheeks. Jin didn't cry though, he couldn't. He knew his best friend was finally at peace. He looked over at Jungkook and took his hand, he wasn't going to waste any more of his life. He took Jungkook in his arms and the others followed behind, wrapped in a large group hug, silently mourning their friend.

     Jin drove to the spot a few days later, he dove down and retrieved the camera. It was water logged, but the memory card inside was okay. He took it out and threw the camera back in the water. He watched the footage on his computer, it was fuzzy and nearly ruined, but he could make out their faces. Taehyung's last days on earth, the smile he showed to them all. Jungkook stood behind him, watching the screen of the computer.  Jin played that moment Taehyung jumped several times, the last time he let it run through and was about to close out when he noticed a file on the memory card. He opened it and on the screen, Taehyung's face came in to focus.

     "I didn't know if I could do it, but your watching this, so I found the perfect time." Taehyung spoke in a soft voice,  "I did it, I am free, finally. I know you all don't understand why I did, but don't be sad because I am okay. I did something that no man should ever do - I killed someone. He was evil and bad, but he was still my father and a human life. It eats at me every day. My sister lying for me really hit me, I didn't want to leave her behind, but I am no good for her. She will heal, her hatred for me will get her through this. Jin, I know you saw it in my face, I saw you watching me, worried. I don't want you to blame yourself, there was nothing anyone could have done. I just want to say thank you for giving me one last time with everyone, that meant the world to me. The six of you were the only ones I wanted to spend the last minutes of my life with, but don't mourn me, celebrate me - the time we had together, since we were all five years old, just starting school together. You guys saved my life on so many occasions, it's almost surreal to think back.  Keep getting together like we did these last few days, don't stop. You need that. Toast the sky for me when you do, spread your wings and fly, butterfly. I love you all.  Namjoon, pursue your dream, you can make it, your parents are wrong about you. You would make a pretty crappy doctor anyway, you would accidently drop a scapel in someone's chest, clumsy ." Taehyung laughs. "Hoseok and Jimin, you are so much more than the women that ed you over. Don't dwell on it, stay sober..I know about the drinking Jimin, don't do it, Hoseok and you have a lot in common, be there for each other. I should have told Yoongi this months ago, 'you have a problem - don't let the fire consume you dude, put out the flame before you get burned.' I know I let you down, I am sorry, my brother.  Jungkook, I know you're there watching this, probably behind Jin, leaning against his chair, a tear streaming down your face.  Wipe it. Jin is going to need your support through culinary school, because it's what he needs to do with his life, but is too stubborn to make the leap.  You came from like me Kookie, but it's not who you are. You and Jin belong together, we all know it." he coughs and looks off the camera. "Someone is waking up, I think it's Hoseok, so I'm gonna say goodbye now. I just hope you all know that what happened, happened because it was supposed to. Don't stop living your lives. I love you." 

     Jin looked up at Jungkook and took a deep breath. Jungkook squeezed his shoulder and then went over to the windown and stared out.

     "I miss him, hyung. A lot." Jungkook wiped a tear and cursed at it for making his face wet. "but I think we all knew this was gonna happen."

      Jin nodded and looked back at the computer screen.

     "So, culinary school huh?" Jungkook turned to him. 

     Jin smiled. "Yeah." he leaned back in the chair and looked up at the ceiling. "I think we need to get everyone together again, back at the beach. He would have wanted us to take the ashes there."

     "Yeah, I'll give everyone a call." Jungkook went over and gave Jin a hug. 

     Jin sat in his truck, alone, everyone else was down by the water. He just leaned on the steering wheel looking at them, smiling. He reached over to the glove compartment to pull out the camera, when a picture fell out. He picked it up and looked at it, it was the picture Namjoon took back at the gas station, the one Yoongi jumped into at the last moment, except the picture did not capture him, in the picture, it was just Jin, alone. The smile disappeared from his face and he quickly looked out the window towards the shore, four boys stood there, throwing shells into the water - Jungkook, Jimin, Hoseok and Namjoon. Where is Yoongi? He opened the door and looked around. Jungkook and Namjoon looked over at him.

     Jungkook looked at Jin, suddenly curious. "What's wrong?" he asked, walking towards him.

     "Where's Yoongi?" he stopped and looked towards them all. 

      They all exhcanged glances. "Yoongi?" Jimin stuttered. "What do you mean?"

     Jin knew that Yoongi had died in that fire months ago, in the hotel. He had poured gasoline and lit his lighter for the last time. Jin had been too late, he tried to run into the room, But Namjoon had stopped him.  Yoongi had called them all before he did it, telling them he was sorry. So why was Jin looking for Yoongi?

     "Hyung, are you okay?" Hoseok looked Jin in the eyes.

     It came back suddenly, like a nightmare. The fire, the flames. The heat he felt on his face, watching helplessly in horror as the motel burnt. Yoongi couldn't have been with them a few days ago, because Yoongi was gone. Then how did Jin see him? How did he film him? Did he imagine Jungkook talking to him, pushing him along in a shopping cart, watching the sun set next to him? Jin did not understand. Jungkook took his hand and Jin closed his eyes.

     "Jin? Are you okay?" Jungkook's voice sounded far away.

     Jin opened his eyes, his eyes focusing on Jungkook's face. He looked around confused. "Yoongi is gone."

     Jin had been in denial since the night of the fire, often talking about Yoongi as if he were still alive, never understanding the looks that people gave him when he did. Jin leaned against the truck, his legs felt heavy. He remembered staring at the casket as they lowered it into the ground, not believing what people were saying, because he saw Yoongi standing there at the foot of the coffin, with his hand on it looking sad. He saw Yoongi sitting at the bonfire that night with Taehyung and the rest of them, flicking his lighter as usual. He saw Yoongi on the beach talking to Jungkook and watching as they all pulled Taehyung from the water and most of all he saw Yoongi jump into the picture when Namjoon was taking it.

     "He is really gone. They both are." Jin closed his eyes again, this time tears streaming down his cheek. He opened his eyes and stared at all of them suddenly, as if he had an epiphany. "We have to survive." he stood up, looking to all of them. "We have to make it."  and with that they all nodded.

     "We will." Jungkook held out his hand, "Together. Always." 

     They sat down to watch the sunset in the very same spot as that fateful day when the ocean claimed Taehyung. He looked where the scaffolding used to be and smiled. "Be free butterfly." he whispered and pulled Jungkook closer. They were all going to be okay, one day at a time.