Collision of Verdicts

Lines of Fear and Love

Jungkook lay on the hospital bed, pale but stable, his hand wrapped in gauze where the knife had sliced through. The IV dripped slowly, replenishing the blood he had lost. Outside, Taehyung sat hunched on a bench, his head buried in his hands, his shoulders shaking with silent tears. He had been strong, holding it together all night, but now, seeing Jungkook like this, he felt himself break.

Namjoon placed a gentle hand on Taehyung’s shoulder, his voice low. “He’s going to be okay, Tae. Jungkook’s tough.”

Taehyung looked up, his face wet with tears. “He was hurt because of me, Hyung. I could’ve lost him, and it’s my fault.”

Namjoon shook his head. “It’s not your fault, Tae. He did what he did because he loves you, and he’d do it again in a heartbeat. That’s just who he is.”

After what felt like an eternity, the doctor emerged, signaling that Jungkook had woken up. Taehyung wiped his face quickly, and the team moved quietly into the hospital room. Jungkook was propped up against the pillows, his usual strength softened but intact. When he saw Taehyung, his eyes softened with relief, even as his own face was pale and tired.

“Hey, everyone,” he greeted, managing a weak smile, though his gaze drifted straight to Taehyung.

Namjoon stepped closer, his tone professional despite his obvious worry. “Jungkook, the police are digging deeper. Whoever sent those guys… they’ll find out. We’re not backing down.”

Jungkook nodded firmly, his voice low. “Good. This isn’t over.”

When Namjoon, Yoongi, and the rest of the team left to give them some privacy, Taehyung stayed by Jungkook’s side, his head bowed as he struggled to find words. Finally, he looked up, his eyes wet and overflowing with emotion. “I’m so sorry, Jungkook. This… this is all because of me.”

Jungkook shook his head, reaching for Taehyung’s hand. “Don’t apologize, Tae. I’d do it a hundred times over for you. You don’t need to protect me. I’m here because I want to be.”

Taehyung finally allowed himself to lean in, wrapping his arms around Jungkook as he buried his face into his shoulder. “I was so scared,” he admitted, his voice choked. “You mean everything to me, Kook. I don’t want to lose you.”

Jungkook gently tilted Taehyung’s face up, wiping away his tears with his thumb before leaning in, pressing a soft kiss on Taehyung’s lips. “Don’t cry, Tae. I’m here. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”

Taehyung’s heart ached, but he smiled through the tears, his grip on Jungkook tightening. “I promise, I’ll be careful. I’ll do everything I can to keep us both safe. I don’t want to see you hurt because of me.”

They held each other in the silence, allowing the strength of their love to heal the wounds that fear had left behind. Finally, Taehyung nodded, feeling a renewed resolve within him. He’d keep his promise to Jungkook—to fight for justice, but to always be careful.

---

Meanwhile, across the city, Jisoo was wrapping up her grocery shopping, a full cart of bags piled beside her as she called Mingyu. She could hear the strain in his voice as he explained his car had broken down.

“Are you sure you can’t come pick me up?” she asked, slightly disappointed.

“I’m really sorry, Jisoo,” he said, apologetic. “I’ll call a mechanic as soon as I can. Just take a cab, okay?”

Jisoo nodded, trying to shake off her nerves. She paid for her groceries and headed outside, her footsteps echoing in the nearly empty hallway. She reached for her phone to call a cab, but before she could dial, a group of masked men stepped out from the shadows, blocking her path.

“Excuse me,” she said nervously, trying to walk past them, but one of the men reached out, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her roughly against the wall. The others closed in, and Jisoo felt her heart race as they tightened their hold on her.

One of the men sneered, his voice low and menacing. “Listen up, sweetheart. If you and your little team don’t drop that case, you’ll regret it. This is just a warning.”

Jisoo struggled against them, but one of them slapped her hard across the face, making her gasp in shock. He tightened his grip, his fingers digging into her skin. “Next time, it won’t be just your sleeve,” he sneered, his hand moving to her shoulder, tearing her sleeve as he whispered, “Remember that.”

She sank to her knees as they left, tears streaming down her face as she clutched her torn sleeve. She tried calling Mingyu, but his phone wasn’t going through. Desperate, she dialed Jin and Namjoon, her voice shaking as she relayed what had happened.

“We’re coming, Jisoo. Don’t move,” Jin’s voice was steady, filled with concern.

Minutes later, Jin and Namjoon found her in the parking lot, pulling her into a protective hug as she broke down. She didn’t want to tell Taehyung; he had enough on his plate. But the fear in her heart wouldn’t leave as she clung to Jin and Namjoon, grateful for their support.

---

Across town, Mingyu was still waiting for a mechanic when he heard a revving engine behind him. Before he could react, a motorcycle sped past, the rider leaning down and slamming into Mingyu, knocking him off balance. He hit the ground hard, his phone clattering to the pavement and skidding away.

The rider didn’t stop—instead, they aimed their bike directly at Mingyu’s fallen phone, crushing it under the tires before speeding away.

Mingyu groaned, picking himself up as he realized his phone was completely destroyed. His side throbbed where he’d hit the pavement, a faint trickle of blood running down his arm. Shaken but determined, he pushed himself to his feet. Whoever had sent that rider was trying to send him a message, but he wouldn’t back down. He’d protect his friends, no matter what.

---

As night fell, Soobin and Yeonjun left the office, their laughter echoing down the hallway. They were sharing stories from the case, trying to keep their spirits high, when they noticed a car slowly trailing behind them.

“Do you see that?” Soobin whispered, his voice tense.

Yeonjun nodded, his hand tightening around Soobin’s arm. “Stay calm. Let’s just keep walking.”

But the car sped up, cutting them off as masked men stepped out, blocking their path. One of the men sneered, stepping forward. “Soobin, Yeonjun… you’re both in way over your heads. This case isn’t something you want to mess with.”

Before they could react, one of the men lunged, shoving Soobin against the wall as another grabbed Yeonjun’s collar, slamming him down. The two fought back with everything they had, managing to land a few hits as they struggled, but the masked men were skilled, moving with ruthless precision.

Just as Soobin and Yeonjun started to feel cornered, a blaring siren filled the air. The men retreated, slipping back into the car as it sped away, leaving Soobin and Yeonjun bruised and shaken in the dark.

They supported each other as they made their way back, each silently vowing to protect each other and their team at all costs.

---

The team gathered in the hospital that night, each one visibly battered but unbroken, their determination only strengthened by the threats they’d faced. When Taehyung walked into Jungkook’s room, seeing everyone bruised but standing together, he felt a surge of resolve. This was more than just a case; this was their fight for justice, a battle for each other.

And no threat, no attack, was going to break them. They were in this together, and nothing—not fear, not violence—would ever tear them apart.