Collision of Verdicts

Peaceful slumber

It had been a few weeks since Taehyung had moved in with Jungkook, and life had taken on a new, peaceful rhythm. Their mornings started early, with both of them getting ready for work, cooking breakfast together, and laughing at each other’s bedhead. In the evenings, they cooked dinner side by side, the domesticity of it all feeling strangely perfect. They'd share meals, talk about their day, and collapse into bed, often in each other’s arms. Every night, Taehyung would drift to sleep with his head on Jungkook’s chest, the steady rhythm of Jungkook’s heartbeat lulling him into dreams.

Tomorrow was their first official weekend together since moving in, and both were excited about the lazy day ahead. The night had already settled into a comfortable silence. Taehyung was curled up against Jungkook, his breathing soft and steady. Jungkook lay awake, staring at the ceiling, but his thoughts were far from their cozy bed. He had a lingering task left to do, one that had been sitting heavy on his mind ever since the incident with Taehyung.

Jungkook shifted slightly, trying not to wake Taehyung, but the moment he moved, Taehyung instinctively tightened his grip around Jungkook’s waist, nuzzling his face deeper into Jungkook’s neck.

“Taehyung-ah,” Jungkook whispered softly, his fingers tracing gentle circles on Taehyung’s back. “I need to step out for a couple of hours… can I?”

Taehyung, still half-asleep, mumbled, “Mm… okay,” and instead of letting him go, he clung tighter, his sleepy warmth pressing closer into Jungkook’s body. “Just stay a bit longer,” Taehyung murmured, his breath warm against Jungkook's skin.

Jungkook chuckled softly, kissing the top of Taehyung’s head. “If you hold me like this, I’ll never leave,” he teased.

Taehyung, with his eyes closed, smiled faintly and whispered, “Good… don’t go then.”

Jungkook sighed with fondness, gently freeing himself from Taehyung’s embrace. He placed a pillow in his place, and Taehyung instinctively snuggled into it, his grip tightening around the soft substitute. Jungkook looked at him for a moment, his heart swelling with love, before he quietly left the room.

Jungkook’s expression shifted as he drove through the empty streets of Seoul. The playful warmth he had with Taehyung melted away, replaced by a cold determination. He was heading to the Seoul National Jail, where the man who had harmed Taehyung was being held. Jungkook’s fists clenched around the steering wheel as he recalled the moment he had received the news that Taehyung had been attacked. The panic, the fear… and the rage that followed.

When Jungkook arrived at the jail, he was greeted by the officers who had helped catch the criminal. They led him through the hallways, the heavy sound of the iron doors clanging shut behind him making his heart race faster. His usually calm demeanor was replaced by a dark intensity as he prepared himself to face the man who had dared to hurt Taehyung.

Finally, the officer stopped in front of a room, gesturing for Jungkook to enter. Inside, sitting behind the bars, was the man who had stabbed Taehyung. He looked rough, his hands cuffed, his eyes downcast. Jungkook stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of him. He wasn’t sure what he expected—a monster, maybe—but all he saw was a pathetic man.

“Why did you do it?” Jungkook asked coldly, his voice low and filled with restrained anger. “Why Taehyung? Who sent you?”

The man didn’t answer at first, keeping his head down. Jungkook’s patience was thin, and the silence only made his anger bubble closer to the surface.

“I asked you a question,” Jungkook said more forcefully, stepping closer to the bars, his fists clenching at his sides.

The man finally looked up, his eyes meeting Jungkook’s, but there was no remorse in them. “I was just sent,” he muttered, his voice emotionless. “Someone wanted revenge. Something about a case.”

Jungkook’s jaw tightened. He didn’t need more details to know what case the man was talking about. It was one of the many cases Taehyung had handled over the years. But this… this was personal. Whoever had sent this man had wanted to hurt Taehyung directly, and that thought made Jungkook’s blood boil.

The man stayed silent after that, offering no more information. Jungkook’s fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, but he forced himself to breathe. Losing his temper now wouldn’t help. He stared at the man, his eyes filled with a quiet fury.

“You’ll rot in here,” Jungkook said, his voice low and dangerous. “But if you ever even think about Taehyung again, you won’t be so lucky next time.”

Just as Jungkook turned to leave, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was Taehyung. He answered it immediately, his voice softening the moment he heard Taehyung on the other end.

“Jungkookie, where are you? I’m bored,” Taehyung whined playfully through the phone, his voice bringing a small smile to Jungkook’s face despite the tension he felt moments before.

“I’ll be home in a few minutes, baby,” Jungkook replied, his tone so sweet it took the officers by surprise. The stark contrast between the cold, dangerous man they had just seen and the affectionate lover on the phone was almost shocking.

The man behind the bars stared at Jungkook in disbelief, as if he couldn’t reconcile the two sides of him—the ruthless protector and the soft, loving boyfriend. Jungkook hung up the phone and glanced back at him one last time, his eyes dark with warning.

Without another word, Jungkook left the room, the door slamming shut behind him as he headed back to Taehyung.

When Jungkook returned home, he found Taehyung still curled up in bed, half-awake and waiting for him. As soon as Jungkook entered the room, Taehyung looked up and smiled sleepily.

“You’re back,” Taehyung murmured, reaching out his arms for Jungkook.

Jungkook smiled, all the tension from earlier melting away as he crossed the room and climbed into bed, pulling Taehyung into his arms. “I’m back,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to Taehyung’s forehead.

Taehyung nuzzled into Jungkook’s chest, his eyes fluttering shut. “Don’t leave me next time,” he mumbled.

Jungkook chuckled softly, stroking Taehyung’s hair. “I won’t,” he promised, holding Taehyung close as they both drifted off into a peaceful sleep, knowing that no matter what happened, they had each other.