[COMPLETED] ENDURING LOVE (JIKOOK)

43; The Unexpected Ally

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Jungkook

The dim light of dawn filters through the curtains as I pace the living room, my mind racing with thoughts of Jimin. The apartment feels empty yet suffocating. Just when I think the silence will drive me mad, there's a knock on the door.

Yoongi steps in, his expression serious. "We've got a lead," he says, not wasting any time.

"Where?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, a mix of hope and anxiety.

Before Yoongi can answer, another figure appears behind him. Byeongnam. My initial reaction is to tense up, ready for confrontation.

"What is he doing here?" I demand, eyes narrowing.

"Hey," Byeongnam says, trying for a casual tone that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I know I'm not your favourite person right now, but I found something." He steps forward, hands raised in a mock surrender.

"You trust him? Seriously, hyung?" I look at Yoongi in exasperation as they enter the house.

Yoongi sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Jungkook, listen. Byeongnam has been investigating on his own. He found a potential location where Jimin might be held."

I cross my arms, glaring at Byeongnam. "And why should I believe anything he says? For all we know, he could be leading us into a trap."

"Jungkook hyung, I get it," Byeongnam interjects, frustration creeping into his voice. "But I'm risking my neck here. I have no reason to lead you astray. Yoongi hyung can vouch for me."

I scoff, turning to Yoongi. "How can you be so sure he's not playing us?"

Yoongi steps closer, his gaze steady. "Because I've checked his intel. It lines up with what we've gathered so far. We don't have time to waste, kook. We need every bit of help we can get."

I feel the conflict within me, the mistrust clashing with the desperation to find Jimin. "And what if he's lying? What if this is just another one of his tricks?"

Byeongnam's patience wears thin, his tone sharpening. "Look, Jungkook hyung, I get that you don't trust me. But I'm not the enemy here. Jimin is my friend too. If you can't see past your anger, fine. But don't let it cost us Jimin's life."

My fists clench at my sides, my jaw set in stubborn defiance. "I'm not risking Jimin's life on your word."

Byeongnam steps forward, frustration now visible on his face. "Then what are you going to do, hyung? Sit here and wait for him to come back on his own?"

Byeongnam's words strike a nerve, igniting a fire of defiance within me. "Don't act like you care more than I do," I snap, my voice sharp and laced with bitterness. "You think because you stumbled onto something, you suddenly have the right to barge in here and act like the hero?"

Yoongi steps between us, his presence calming yet insistent. "Enough, both of you," he interjects firmly. "This isn't helping."

Byeongnam holds up his hands in surrender, frustration evident in every line of his face. "I'm not trying to be a hero, hyung. I'm trying to do what's right. Jimin is my friend too, and I've been working my ass off to find him."

I scoff, unable to suppress my scepticism. "And how do we know you're not leading us into a trap? You've been working alone this whole time, keeping us in the dark. Forgive me if I don't trust your sudden change of heart."

"Because I know where they're keeping him," Byeongnam retorts sharply, his voice cracking with urgency. "I've got a contact who's seen him. We can't afford to waste any more time."