LOVE YOU TO DEATH | TAEKOOK

10. Underwater

*you know the drill. Content warning for language, violence, mature themes, triggering stuff, etc.*
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New York Times Headline: The trial to decide whether acclaimed author JJK is guilty of murdering the father of Park Jimin, award-winning actor and friend to JJK, is set to start later today.

A star-studded crowd has been spotted entering the courthouse: Production executive Min Yoongi, director Jung Hoseok, actor Kim Taehyung, and of course, the sister of Park Jimin, as well as JJK's own mother, most of whom have been called to testify.

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"Am I going to see him?" Taehyung asked when Hobi woke him up to force him into a shower. His voice came out raw, mirroring how he felt.

Hobi shrugged, though he had a compassionate look on his face, "Probably, Tae," he murmured.

"I can't decide if that's a good thing or not," Taehyung mused as he dried his hair and put on the dark green suit that Jungkook had bought for him.

It stung in a way he wasn't exactly expecting when he put it on, but he also hadn't expected to be in New York for so long either, so he wore what he had packed.

Hobi handed him a tie and looked thoughtful, "I think you need to brace yourself," he supposed, unsure of how much more he should say.

Taehyung narrowed his eyes, "For what?" he spat bitterly. As if there weren't enough to prepare for.

"For the fact that you might not recognize the person you're going to see in court as the Jungkook you know and love," Hobi said delicately, with a slight grimace as he fixed Taehyung's tie. He set his mouth into a tight line.

They stared at one another for a moment, daring each other to speak.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Honestly, I'm not really in a place where I can read between the lines," Taehyung sighed, frustrated.

Hobi nodded, "I went over there a few days ago, and they weren't at the hotel anymore," he began, gesturing with one hand.

Taehyung scoffed, winding up with a litany of questions before Hobi held up a hand to stop him.

"He's at his mom's house with Jimin and Namjoon. He's in rough shape and I just want you to know that he's heavily medicated and doesn't look or act like the person you are expecting, okay?" Hobi warned, trying to focus them on what seemed to be the most important facts.

Taehyung briefly put his hands over his face and then shook them in front of himself as if to say enough.

"Okay. Whatever. I get it. Is he going to recognize me? How bad is this?" Taehyung demanded hotly, all at once concerned, irritated, and regretful.

Again, Hobi shrugged, "I think so, but he might not have the reaction to you that you're hoping for," he suggested. He wasn't sure exactly what this was going to look like.

"I only saw him briefly, and I haven't been back to his mom's house, but he recognized me so I'm assuming he's going to recognize you," he added.

Taehyung pressed his lips together into a tight frown, but didn't reply right away, "I'm not even sure what reaction I should be hoping for," he muttered. Every possibility seemed awful.

Hobi gestured for him to elaborate.

"I'm the one who left him. Shouldn't I be hoping for him to ignore me?" He asked, insecure about all of this.

Taehyung focused on tying his shoes so he didn't have to face his own actions.

Hobi made a skeptical face, "Well, I'm guessing he's going to. But I'm also guessing you don't want him to," he fired back.