Crimson Park

Chapter 27

Dongnam's trial finally arrived, and things really picked up. You were brought to testify for several days, but by the evenings, the team – yourself included – poured through the files and documents endlessly, prepping to react to whatever twist Dongnam's legal team had thrown that day. The only break you really got was during the six o'clock news when the takeout arrived, and the station stopped to watch the daily report from the courthouse. It was nice to be needed... to feel a part of the team... but the arrival of the trial also meant your departure from the station was soon approaching. That also meant the safety you had enjoyed was also coming fast to an end. There was no way Namjoon would be able to protect you from inside a penitentiary, and even if it was true he had an alternative arrangement, you weren't confident he could keep you safe there either.

You didn't see Jungkook for those months – but each day, you looked for him. When the door opened to your holding cell, you looked to see if it was him. When you entered the conference room to work, you searched the faces for his. When someone strode into the station, your heart jumped then sunk. But it was for the best, is what you kept telling yourself.

"Y/N?" you looked up to see Namjoon through the cell bars, holding a bag of what looked like Chinese takeout. It was evening, the day before the trial was expected to wrap up and deliberations to begin.

"Hi," you greeted him.

"Mind if I join you to eat?"

"Of course not," you smiled at him. He unlocked the cell door and shuffled inside. Naturally, you stacked some books and smoothed the bedsheets of your cot as if you were tidying up to welcome someone into your home.

Together you ate, passing back and forth the containers of various foods while you discussed the trial among other benign topics. You had really come to like Namjoon, and it was nice to have some company, albeit, odd that he of all people had made time to do so.

"I don't want you to worry, Y/N," Namjoon said. "About what's going to happen when the trial is over. I promised to protect you and I will. We have a plan."

You swallowed your mouth full of food. "Thank-you," you replied. A sombre silence fell between you.

"How..." you began to speak, but you stopped yourself.

"What's that?"

"Never mind," you wanted to ask about Jungkook, but you couldn't bring yourself to do it. You didn't know what Namjoon knew about your and Jungkook's time together, and you didn't want to say anything suspicious. But it seemed as if Namjoon read your mind.

"He asks about you too," he said. Your eyes darted up to look at him. Namjoon cocked his eyebrow at you knowingly, then resumed digging through his food. "You know, I was his handler when he was undercover."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. It was a tough job. He went through a lot... I thought for a minute I was going to lose him."

"How so?"

Namjoon looked back up at you and you somehow knew his answer.

"You should take it easy on him. He made some mistakes but ultimately, he's done the right thing... and continues to do the right thing. And he really is looking out for you."

You bit your lip and nodded. "I know. I am guilty. I just... I don't even know what I'm trying to say."

"It's complicated."

"Yeah."

"I probably shouldn't tell you, but – he's thinking about quitting after all this is over."

"What?"

Namjoon nodded. "This job took a toll on him. It's sad really. He's good at it, he used to love it – but if I can be frank, I think you've made him question this path."