jihyo imagines

against all odds, pt. 2

< non-idol au >

warning: contains themes of domestic violence, emotional abuse, and professional misconduct. reader discretion is advised

* * *

It had been two weeks since the incident with Jihyo's ex-boyfriend, Jinwoo. You sat alone in your small apartment, replaying the events over and over in your mind. Taking that mandatory leave from the force felt like the final nail in the coffin for your secret romance with Jihyo. You knew getting personally involved with a civilian was against protocol, yet you couldn't deny the magnetic pull she had over you from the very beginning.

Your relationship blossomed from chance encounters responding to noise complaints at her building into something so much deeper. Jihyo made you feel alive in a way no one else ever had. But it all came crashing down the night Jinwoo showed up, drunk and enraged, at her door. The moment he lashed out and struck Jihyo was seared into your memory. Nothing else mattered in that split second aside from protecting her, consequences be damned.

Now you wondered if you had made the right choice by coming clean to Captain Seungmin afterwards. Likely, your career in law enforcement was over, but at least Jinwoo was behind bars, and Jihyo had a protective detail assigned until the danger passed. Still, you couldn't help worrying about her constant wellbeing alone in that apartment without you there.

A soft knock at the door pulled you from your fretful thoughts. Taking a breath, you approached cautiously, unsure of what awaited on the other side.

Through the cracked opening, you saw Jihyo's pale face peering in, eyes downcast. Something was clearly troubling her deeply.

"Jihyo? What is it?" you asked gently, urging her inside with a worried frown.

She entered slowly, as if every movement caused pain. Her normally vibrant form seemed diminished; her shoulders slumped under an invisible weight. Only then did you notice the dark shadows beneath her reddened eyes and the way she held herself so stiffly.

"Oh, Jihyo..."

Cupping her gaunt cheek tenderly, your heart ached at how haunted she appeared. A shiver passed through her slight frame at your soft touch. Wordlessly, you drew her into your arms, letting her trembling body find solace in your embrace. Her distress was palpable through the contact.

"What happened, love? Are you hurt?"

Concern laced your murmur while carefully scanning for injuries, dreading what may have diminished her brilliant spirit so.

Jihyo sniffled, burrowing her face into your chest like a frightened child seeking comfort.

"I... I don't feel safe there anymore," she whispered. "Every shadow or sound makes me flinch, convinced he's come back to finish the job. I know the detectives said Jinwoo will be in lockup for awhile, but..."

Her words trailed off into another muffled sob. You held her tighter, your heart aching to see Jihyo so shaken from something you couldn't protect her from.

"Shhh, it's okay. You're safe now," you soothed, guiding her over to the couch and kneeling before her clasped hands. Looking up into her glistening eyes, you asked gently, "Why don't you stay here with me for a while? At least until things calm down and we know he won't be getting out anytime soon."

Jihyo blinked in surprise. "But what about your job? I don't want to cause you any more trouble."

You sighed wearily. "My career was over the moment I let personal feelings get in the way of my duties. All that matters to me now is that you feel secure. Please, stay. It will put my mind at ease too, knowing you're nearby where I can look after you properly."